Amines for detection of dopamine by generation of hydrogen peroxide and peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence

A range of nitrogen-containing compounds (alkyl amines, piperazines, cyclohexylamines and nitrogen heterocyclics) were investigated for generation of hydrogen peroxide from dopamine and detection by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence. Imidazole, ethyleneurea and allantoin among the nitrogen heterocyclic compounds tested generated hydrogen peroxide from dopamine following incubation at 60 degrees C, pH 9.5-10.5, for 0-30 min. Imidazole was the most effective for generation of hydrogen peroxide, but imidazole derivatives with a primary amine side chain (histamine) or thiol (ethylenethiourea) were not effective. The presence of a ketone group (ethyleneurea, allantoin) did not hinder the reaction. Under optimal conditions (30 min incubation, 50 mmol/L imidazole) 10.5 nmol of dopamine could be detected. The cyclohexylamines tested produced low amounts of hydrogen peroxide (0.09-2.74% of light intensity with imidazole), and the piperazines and the alkyl amines tested produced no detectable hydrogen peroxide. Imidazole reacts with the phenolic groups of dopamine in a different manner from monoamine oxidase, and a reagent containing imidazole, ethyleneurea or allantoin was useful for non-enzymatic detection of dopamine by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence.