Chapter 3: Efficient ECL Luminophores

Two classes of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) luminophores are covered in this chapter: (1) inorganic systems including Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and its derivatives, including cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes and (2) organic systems including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including organic dyes such as boron-dipyrromethene dyes. The focus will be on research papers published after 2008 dealing with highly efficient ECL luminophores that have good water solubility, sufficient electrochemical stability and suitable bio-functionality. A number of promising ECL luminophores have been reported over the past 10+ years, with extremely high ECL efficiencies that are many times larger than those of the standard Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ or 9,10-diphenylanthracene systems. Due to the fact that ECL emissions from various luminophores can span a wide range of spectra, from near UV to near infrared, advancement in ECL-based multiplexing detection and quantification is expected.