Near-infrared electrogenerated chemiluminescence of ytterbium(III) chelates in aqueous electrolytes

The near-infrared electrogenerated chemiluminescence (IR ECL) of Yb(III) ch elates at a pulse-polarized oxide-covered aluminium cathode is described fo r the first time. The observed F-2(5/2)-->F-2(7/2) radiative transition of Yb(III) is the lowest-energy ECL in aqueous solution reported to date. Also , a proposed explanation for the excitation and emission processes of this near-IR ECL of Yb(III) chelates has been given. The phenomenon offers many new application possibilities for analytical purposes, for example, a new p oint of view for wavelength discrimination. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.