Electrochemiluminescence of terbium (III)-two fluoroquinolones-sodium sulfite system in aqueous solution

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Tb3+-enoxacin-Na2SO3 system (ENX system) and Tb3+-ofloxacin-Na2SO3 system (OFLX system) in aqueous solution is reported. ECL is generated by the oxidation of Na2SO3, which is enhanced by Tb3+-fluoroquinolone (FQ) complex. The ECL intensity peak versus potential corresponds to oxidation of Na2SO3, and the ECL emission spectra (the peaks are at 490, 545, 585 and 620 nm) match the characteristic emission spectrum of Tb3+, indicating that the emission is from the excited state of Tb3+. The mechanism of ECL is proposed and the difference of ECL intensity between ENX system and OFLX system is explained. Conditions for ECL emission were optimized. The linear range of ECL intensity versus concentrations of pharmaceuticals is 2.0 × 10−10-8.0 × 10−7 mol l−1 for ENX and 6.0 × 10−10-6.0 × 10−7 mol l−1 for OFLX, respectively. A theoretical limit of detection is 5.4 × 10−11 mol l−1 for ENX and 1.6 × 10−10 mol l−1 for OFLX, respectively. The ECL was satisfactorily applied to the determination of the two FQs in dosage form and urine sample.