Abstract
A simple and rapid chemiluminescent method has been developed for the assay of benzoyl peroxide in organic or aqueous solvents. Some nitrogen reagents were tested regarding their ability to produce chemiluminescence by reacting with benzoyl peroxide. Triethylamine and quinuclidine have been found to be suitable amines for this method. The products of the reaction were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Other primary or secondary amines or amides also produce a chemiluminescent reaction with Benzoyl peroxide, although the intensity of the luminescence is smaller. 9, 10-Dibromoanthracene, pyrene or rubrene are effective enhancers of the chemiluminescent reactions examined. Ten ng/ml of benzoyl peroxide in chloroform can be detected using triethylamine and rubrene as chemiluminescent reagents. Therefore, the limit of benzoyl peroxide detection has been lowered by a factor of about 2000. The presence of the aromatic compound probably induces an energy transfer which helps in the formation of excited states on this molecule.
