DETECTION OF SUBSTANCES WITH ALCOHOLIC OR PHENOLIC HYDROXYL-GROUPS BYGENERATION OF HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE WITH IMIDAZOLE AND PEROXYOXALATE CHEMILUMINESCENCE

On-line detection of substances with an alcoholic or phenolic hydroxyl group using imidazole and peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence was investi gated qualitatively using a flow-injection method, The substances test ed included six polyphenols, five monophenols and six sugars, After in cubation at 80 degrees C with an imidazole buffer (pH 9.5) the substan ces were detected by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, The polyphenols tested (e.g., pyrogallol, purpurogallin, and dopamine) showed the stro ngest light emission, The sugars with hydroxyl groups (e.g., fructose and lactose) and the mono phenols (e.g., phenol, serotonin, and beta-e stradiol) produced only a weak light emission, Reaction of hydroxyl co mpounds and imidazole generated hydrogen peroxide. Imidazole served tw o roles, it catalysed the reaction with the hydroxyl compound and init iated peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence on-line. A novel reactor formed by packing glass beads into a flow cell (Teflon) of a chemiluminometer improved the sensitivity of light detection.