Enhanced anodic Ru(bpy)32+ electrogenerated chemiluminescence by polyphenols

Anodic Ru(bpy)32+ electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) can be enhanced by polyphenols in alkaline solution. Spin trapping-electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments verified that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated during the electrolysis of Ru(bpy)32+ in alkaline solution, and oxidation of quercetin enhanced Ru(bpy)32+ ECL at anodic potential by producing additional ROS. This ECL enhancement can be used to analyze real sample and evaluate antioxidant activity of polyphenols.