Much Stronger Chemiluminescence of 9-Mesityl-10-methylacridinium Ion than Lucigenin at Neutral Conditions for Co²⁺ Detection

Abstract

9-Mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr⁺-Mes) is a donor-acceptor molecule with a much longer lifetime and a higher energy electron transfer excited state than natural photosynthetic reaction centers. Unlike lucigenin with a coplanar geometry, Acr⁺-Mes has an orthogonal geometry. There is no π conjugation between Acr⁺ and Mes. Due to its special electron donor-acceptor structure, it does not rely on strong alkalinity to generate an electron transfer state like lucigenin, which makes it possible to achieve chemiluminescence (CL) under weakly alkaline or neutral conditions. In this study, we report Acr⁺-Mes CL for the first time. Acr⁺-Mes generates about 400 times stronger CL intensity than lucigenin under neutral conditions (pH = 7) using KHSO₅ as the coreactant. Moreover, Co²⁺ can enhance Acr⁺-Mes/KHSO₅ CL remarkably. Acr⁺-Mes/KHSO₅ CL enables Co²⁺ detection with a linear range of 0.5-500 nM and a limit of detection of 28 pM (S/N = 3). This method was tested for the detection of Co²⁺ in lake water, and the standard recovery rate of 96.8-107% was achieved. This study provides a new way to develop efficient CL systems in neutral solutions.