Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes

Abstract

Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and a phenyl substituted on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a meta-substituted moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T.sub.1/2 kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity and/or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by addition of a chlorine substituent at position 4 on the phenyl ring. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.