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.