Electrochemiluminescence of iridium complexes with ammonia in dimethylformamide and its analytical application for ammonia detection

► Ammonia can act as coreactant to induce the ECL of iridium complexes in DMF. ► The ECL efficiencies were rationalized by the HOMO and LUMO energy levels. ► The complex (pq)2Ir(acac) was selected for the detection of NH3 in atmosphere.