Confirmation of the classic tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) and oxalate electrochemiluminescence mechanism using EPR spectroscopy

A chemically initiated adaptation of the classic [Ru(bipy)3]2+/oxalate electrochemiluminescence coreactant system has revealed the elusive radical intermediates of the light-producing pathway. Oxalyl (HC2O4˙) and hydroxyformyl (HCO2˙) radicals have been captured on a quartz surface and characterised using EPR spectroscopy.