FACTORS INFLUENCING PEROXYOXALATE CHEMILUMINESCENCE DETECTION IN THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

For the sensitive and reproducible detection of fluorophors in thin la yer chromatography by use of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence react ion, synchronization of timing between chemical excitation (spraying o f pre-mixed chemiluminescence reagents on to the plate surface) and su bsequent detection of the rapidly changing chemiluminescence signal wa s accomplished by use of a nebulizer, to produce a steady stream of re active aerosol, and an optical fiber, to transport the chemiluminescen ce emission to the detector. By operating the experimental set-up in s topped-scan mode, intensity - time characteristics of chemiluminescenc e emission produced by the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction, w ith and without the presence of fluorophors, were studied as a functio n of a number of important factors, including the properties of the so rbent matrix, the chemical nature of the fluorophor, the concentration and flow rate of the chemiluminescence reagents, and the influence of catalyst and organic enhancing agents. The effects of these factors o n chemiluminescence emission characteristics are briefly discussed in terms of chemiluminescence efficiency and reaction kinetics.