Autocatalytic chemiluminescence sheds new light on the classic permanganate-oxalate reaction.

The emission of light from the permanganate-oxalate reaction enables monitoring of intermediates not accessible through traditional spectrophotometric interrogation. Despite the inherent complexity of the underlying chemical reactions and equilibria, the emission intensity-time profile was characterized by a simple model combining previously independent minimalistic descriptions of chemiluminescence and autocatalysis. The generation of the electronically excited [Mn(II)]* emitter and the acceleration of the reaction even in the presence of high initial concentrations of Mn(II) (under conditions that preclude accumulation of colloidal Mn(IV)) provide new evidence for the reduction of manganese species by a reactive radical intermediate as a supplementary positive feedback loop to the formation of Mn(II).

Reactions of Nb2 and Nb3 with CO, D2, N2, and O2: reconciling experimental kinetics with density functional theory-calculated reaction profiles.

Calculated energy profiles for the reactions of neutral Nb(2) and Nb(3) metal clusters with CO, D(2), N(2), and O(2) are presented. In each reaction path, both a physisorption energy minimum, where the reactant remains intact, and a chemisorption energy minimum, where the reactant has dissociated, are calculated and linked by saddle points. We calculate branching ratios for the forward (dissociative) and reverse reactions which we compare with the experimental kinetic data. It is found that a combination of average thermal energies and barrier heights leads to wide variation in branching ratios which compares favourably to previously determined experimental reaction rates.

Chemiluminescence detection of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and related nitramine explosives.

A simple controlled chemical reduction of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and related nitramine compounds with zinc amalgam generates species that elicit intense chemiluminescence with tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(III), which extends this widely utilised chemiluminescence reagent to a new class of analyte and presents a sound chemical basis for a screening test for nitramine high explosives. Examination of the chemiluminescence profiles under stopped-flow conditions revealed contributions from multiple transient species formed in the initial reduction step.

The detection of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces using amino acid sensitive reagents: a review.

The introduction of ninhydrin treatment as a chemical technique for the visualisation of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces revolutionised approaches to forensic fingermark examination. Since then, a range of amino acid sensitive reagents has been developed and such compounds are in widespread use by law enforcement agencies worldwide. This paper reviews the development and use of these reagents for the detection of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces. A brief overview is provided, including an historical background, forensic significance, and a general approach to the development of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces. This is followed by a discussion of specific amino acid sensitive treatments.

In search of a chemiluminescence 1,4-dioxy biradical.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy has afforded the identification of a much postulated 1,4-dioxy biradical that occurs within the light producing pathway of peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence.

Manganese(III) and manganese(IV) as chemiluminescence reagents: a review.

Although potassium permanganate [Mn(VII)] has been used extensively as a chemiluminescence reagent for many decades, other manganese-based oxidants have only recently been explored for this purpose. There is strong evidence to suggest that, like permanganate, manganese(III) and manganese(IV) oxidants react with many molecules to produce an excited manganese(II) species that emits light. However, these reagents differ markedly in terms of selectivity, and possess characteristics that provide new avenues for detection, such as the immobilisation of solid manganese dioxide, the production of 'soluble' manganese(IV) nanoparticles, and the electrochemical generation of manganese(III). In this review we examine the emergence of these alternative manganese oxidants as chemiluminescence reagents.

Lawsone: a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces.

Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) reacts with latent fingermark deposits on paper surfaces to yield purple-brown impressions of ridge details which are also photoluminescent; this compound represents the first in a completely new class of fingermark detection reagents.

Studies on the mechanism of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction: part 2. Further identification of intermediates using 2D EXSY 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Further consideration has been given to the reaction pathway of a model peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence system. Again utilising doubly labelled oxalyl chloride and anhydrous hydrogen peroxide, 2D EXSY (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy experiments allowed for the characterisation of unknown products and key intermediate species on the dark side of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction. Exchange spectroscopy afforded elucidation of a scheme comprised of two distinct mechanistic pathways, one of which contributes to chemiluminescence. (13)C NMR experiments carried out at varied reagent molar ratios demonstrated that excess amounts of hydrogen peroxide favoured formation of 1,2-dioxetanedione: the intermediate that, upon thermolysis, has been long thought to interact with a fluorophore to produce light.

Effect of oxidant type on the chemiluminescence intensity from the reaction of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) with various organic acids.

An investigation into the chemiluminescence of fourteen organic acids and tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) was undertaken. Particular emphasis was placed upon the method of production of the reagent, tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III), with cerium(IV) sulfate, potassium permanganate, lead dioxide and electrochemical generation. Analytically useful chemiluminescence was observed when Ce(IV) or potassium permanganate were employed as oxidants. The kinetics of analyte oxidation was related to the intensity of the chemiluminescence emission, which increased by three orders of magnitude for tartaric acid after 40h of oxidation.

Hypohalites and related oxidants as chemiluminescence reagents: a review.

This review concerns the use of hypochlorite, hypobromite and related oxidants (such as N-bromosuccinimide and 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin) as chemiluminescence reagents and includes references to 249 papers that were published prior to mid-2003. Particular emphasis has been placed on proposed emitting species and the mechanisms of the light-producing pathways. The analytical applications of this chemistry have been summarized in three tables: (1) quantification of hypohalites and related compounds (including halides, which are initially oxidized); (2) enhancement or inhibition of luminol chemiluminescence; and (3) direct chemiluminescence reactions with hypohalite reagents.

Chemiluminescence from the oxidation of urea and ammonia with hypobromite and N-bromosuccinimide.

The spectral distribution for the chemiluminescent oxidation of ammonia with hypobromite is significantly different to that for the oxidation of ammonia with N-bromosuccinimide. Therefore, in contrast to the assumptions of several authors, the action of N-bromosuccinimide is not solely derived from the in situ formation of hypobromite. Neither the oxidation of urea with hypobromite nor the oxidation of urea with N-bromosuccinimide involves an initial hydrolysis of urea to ammonia in the alkaline solution. However, these two reactions lead to a common emitter. The addition of xanthene dyes, such as dichlorofluorescein, enhance the chemiluminescence intensity by energy transfer to the efficient fluorophore, but reaction between the sensitiser and hypobromite can result in a significant increase in the background signal. A list of potential interferences has been compiled; particular attention was paid to guanidino compounds, as the chemiluminescence accompanying the oxidation of this functional group has not been previously discussed.

Synthesis and preliminary analytical evaluation of the chemiluminescence from (4-[4-(dichloromethylsilanyl)-butyl]-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) covalently bonded to silica particles.

This paper describes, for the first time, a simple and effective synthetic route for covalently bonding the chemiluminescence reagent, (4-[4-(dichloromethylsilanyl)-butyl]-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) onto silica particles. The subsequent preparation of chemically regeneratable detection cells and their preliminary analytical evaluation with both sequential injection analysis and flow injection analysis are also reported. Unoptimised analytical figures of merit were established for standard solutions of codeine and sodium oxalate with detection limits calculated from three times the standard deviation of the blank signal, of 1 x 10(-8) M and 3 x 10(-7) M respectively. The chemically immobilised reagent exhibited some intriguing solvent and kinetic effects, which are also briefly discussed.

Flow analysis based on a pulsed flow of solution: theory, instrumentation and applications.

The increased demands placed on solution propulsion by programmed flow systems, such as sequential injection analysis, lab-on-value technology, bead injection and multi-commutation, has highlighted the inability of many conventional pumps to generate a smooth, consistent flow. A number of researchers have examined ways to overcome the inadvertent, uncontrolled pulsation caused by the mechanical aciton of peristaltic pumps. In contrast, we have developed instruments that exploit the characteristics of a reproducible pulsed flow of solution. In this paper, we discuss our instrumental approaches and some applications that have benefited from the use of a reproducible pulsed flow rather than the traditional linear flow approach. To place our approach in the context of the continuously developing field of flow analysis, an overview of other programmed flow systems is also presented.