Analytical applications of photoinduced chemiluminescence in flow systems--a review

In this review, the recent evolution and the state of the art of photochemical reactions coupled with chemiluminescence processes are presented. Different chemiluminescence systems have been considered together with suitable photochemical derivatization processes that can affect either the analyte of interest or even the chemiluminogenic reagent, producing some derivatives able to participate more efficiently in the CL reactions and enhancing the CL emission. The on-line integration of the photochemical reactions as well as the coupling of this resulting photoinduced chemiluminescence (PICL) method with dynamic analytical systems, such as flow injection analysis, liquid or gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, have been discussed. Important applications of PICL have been proposed in environmental, pharmaceutical and food analysis.