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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting
Published on: March 9, 2017
Hypohalites and related oxidants as chemiluminescence reagents: a review
Paul S Francis1, Neil W Barnett, Simon W Lewis
1Centre for Chiral and Molecular Technologies, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. psf@deakin.edu.au
Abstract:
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.
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