Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was chosen for the investigation of the
effect of metal ions on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Meta
l ions that are preferentially bound to the oxygen atoms (MIO) have no effe
ct on the intensity of ECL except for Al3+ and Y3+, whereas metal ions that
are preferentially bound to the nitrogen atoms (MIN) preclude the oxidatio
n of EDTA and decrease the ECL intensity.