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Updated: May 22, 2026

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting
Published on: March 9, 2017
Chemiluminescence from osmium(II) complexes with phenanthroline, diphosphine and diarsine ligands
Elizabeth M Zammit1, Gregory J Barbante, Brenden Carlson
1School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
Abstract:
The reaction of various [Os(L)(2)(L')](2+) complexes (where L and L' are phenanthroline, diphosphine or diarsine ligands) and organic reducing agents after chemical or electrochemical oxidation of the reactants produces an emission of light corresponding to MLCT transitions. In certain instances, the emission was greater than that of [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+), but the relative signals were dependent on many factors, including reagent concentration, mode of oxidation, reducing agent and the sensitivity of the photodetector over the wavelength range.
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