All Eyes on Visible-Light Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence Read-Out Systems

Chemiluminescence (CL) reactions have been widely employed and explored over the past 50 years because they offer unique light emission upon a defined chemical stimulus. In this Minireview, we focus on peroxyoxalate (PO) compounds because they feature very high quantum yields tuneable over the entire visible spectrum, allowing for visible-light detection by the naked eye without the necessity for expensive analytical instruments. Although analytical methods have been extensively described, PO-CL read-out is a strongly emerging field with ample industrial potential. The state-of-the-art PO-CL detection read-out systems for various key analytes is here explored. In particular, structural requirements, recent developments of PO-CL read-out probes and current limitations of selected examples are detailed. Furthermore, innovative approaches and synthetic routes to push the boundaries of PO-CL reactions into biological systems are highlighted. Underpinned by recent contributions, we share perspectives on embedding PO-CL molecules into polymeric materials, which they consider the next step in designing high performance solid-phase read-out systems.