Spectroelectrochemistry for studying electrochemiluminescence mechanism

UV–Vis spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) was introduced for the first time into the study of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) mechanisms of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. Uracil and its two derivatives, 5-fluorouracil and 1-methyl-uracil, were chosen as model molecules in the ECL mechanism study. SEC revealed that the substitution of hydrogen at N(1) and the destruction of conjugate heterocyclic ring were very important for ECL activities of uracils. On the basis, a new ECL mechanism was proposed for the uracils. The successful explanation of ECL mechanism for the model molecules by employing SEC indicates that SEC would play an important role in future ECL mechanism studies.