Abstract: A kit for detecting a first substance in a sample comprising a dioxetane having the formula: ##STR1## wherein T is a cycloalkyl or polycycloalkyl group bonded to the 4-membered ring portion of the dioxetane by a spiro linkage; Y is a fluorescent chromophore; X is H, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, or an enzyme-cleavable group; and Z is H or an enzyme-cleavable group, provided that at least one of X or Z must be an enzyme-cleavable group; and an enzyme which cleaves the enzyme-cleavable group of the dioxetane creating an electron-rich moiety which destabilizes the dioxetane, causing it to decompose into two ketones, one ketone comprising the moiety T, and the other ketone comprising moieties X, Y and a portion of Z. The energy released by decomposition causes the moiety Y to luminesce.

Abstract: A method and compositions including a 1,2-dioxetane and a fluorescent compound is described. In particular, enzymatic triggering of a triggerable 1,2-dioxetane admixed with a surfactant and the fluorescent compound attached to a hydrocarbon to provide a co-surfactant in a micelle or other structure providing close association of these molecules is described. The method and compositions are useful in immunoassays and in DNA probes used for various purposes.

Abstract: Probes labeled with 1,2-dioxetane precursors can be employed in a variety of assays. The probes may be nucleic acid, peptide nucleic acid, proteins including enzyme, antibody or antigen, steroid, carbohydrate, drug or non-drug hapten. The probe is provided with a 1,2-dioxetane precursor bound thereto, generally either covalently, or a strong ligand bond. The dioxetane precursor moiety is converted to a bound 1,2-dioxetane by exposure to singlet oxygen. These dioxetane (labels) either spontaneously decompose, or are induced to decompose by an appropriate trigger to release light. The trigger may be a change in pH temperature, or an agent which removes a protective group. Assay formats in which these 1,2-dioxetane labeled probes and referents may be used to include hybridization assays, immuno assays, gel-based assays and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis.

Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a 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, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent bioassays for the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample use 1,2-dioxetanes as substrates for the enzyme of an enzyme complex that bind to the analyte. The chemiluminescence obtained from the decomposition of the dioxetane triggered by the enzyme through the formation of the corresponding 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion of the enzyme complex is enhanced by the addition of TBQ as an enhancement agent. Other polymeric quaternary onium salts can be used as enhancement agents in conjunction with enhancement additives which improve the ability of the enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in the aqueous sample, in which regions the 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion and its chemiluminescent decomposition products can be sequestered. A kit for performing such assays is also provided.

Abstract: A new class of stable dioxetanes bears a polycyclic stabilizing group and aryloxy moiety, the oxygen atom of which is provided with a protective group which can be removed by an enzymatic or chemical trigger admixed with the dioxetane. The polycyclic stabilizing group is preferably spiroadamantane. The group further bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy or cycloalkyloxy moiety which is partially or completely substituted with halogens, particularly fluorine and chlorine. Proper selection of electron active groups on the stabilizing moiety, the aryl group and the OR group yields enhanced enzyme kinetics, superior light intensity and excellent detection sensitivity in various assays.

Abstract: A method and compositions including a 1,2-dioxetane and a fluorescent compound is described. In particular, enzymatic triggering of a triggerable 1,2-dioxetane admixed with a surfactant and the fluorescent compound attached to a hydrocarbon to provide a co-surfactant in a micelle or other structure providing close association of these molecules is described. The method and compositions are useful in immunoassays and in DNA probes used for various purposes.

Abstract: 1,2-dioxetane compounds bearing a proteolytic enzyme specific amino acid or peptide are provided, which amino acid or peptide can be removed by action of the corresponding protease. When the amino acid or peptide is removed, the 1,2-dioxetane decomposes with chemiluminescence, the generation of light providing a rapid, ultra-sensitive and convenient means for detecting the presence of the protease in the sample being inspected. The amount of light generated, or degree of chemiluminescence, can be correlated with the amount of protease present. Immunoassays, as well as DNA hybridization and DNA probe assays are provided.

Abstract: In an assay method in which a member of a specific binding pair is detected by means of an optically detectable reaction, the improvement wherein the optically detectable reaction includes the reaction, with an enzyme, of a dioxetane having the formula ##STR1## where T is a cycloalkyl or polycycloalkyl group bonded to the 4-membered ring portion of the dioxetane by a spiro linkage; Y is a fluorescent chromophore; X is H, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, or enzyme-cleavable group; and Z is H or an enzyme-cleavable group, provided that at least one of X or Z must be an enzyme-cleavable group, so that the enzyme cleaves the enzyme-cleavable group from the dioxetane to form a negatively charged substituent bonded to the dioxetane, the negatively charged substituent causing the dioxetane to decompose to form a luminescent substance that includes group Y of said dioxetane.

Abstract: A new class of stable dioxetanes bears a polycyclic stabilizing group and aryloxy moiety, the oxygen atom of which is provided with a protective group which can be removed by an enzymatic or chemical trigger admixed with the dioxetane. The polycyclic stabilizing group is preferably spiroadamantane. The group further bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy or cycloalkyloxy moiety which is partially or completely substituted with halogens, particularly fluorine and chlorine. Proper selection of electron active groups on the stabilizing moiety, the aryl group and the OR group yields enhanced enzyme kinetics, superior light intensity and excellent detection sensitivity in various assays.

Abstract: A kit including a dioxetane and an enzyme reactive therewith is useful in an assay method in which a member of a specific binding pair is detected by means of an optically detectable reaction, the improvement wherein the optically detectable reaction includes the reaction, with the enzyme, the dioxetane having the formula ##STR1## where T is a cycloalkyl or polycycloalkyl group bonded to the 4-membered ring portion of the dioxetane by a spiro linkage; Y is a fluorescent chromophore; X is H, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, or enzyme-cleavable group; and Z is H or an enzyme-cleavable group, provided that at least one of X or Z must be an enzyme-cleavable group, so that the enzyme cleaves the enzyme-cleavable group from the dioxetane to form a negatively charged substituent bonded to the dioxetane, the negatively charged substituent causing the dioxetane to decompose to form a luminescent substance that includes group Y of said dioxetane.

Abstract: Kits comprising 1,2-dioxetanes which can be cause to chemiluminesce by contact with an enzyme, and the enzyme, are provided for use in optically detectable assays. The assay calls for binding the enzyme to the substance to be detected in a sample, removing any unbound enzyme, and then combining the treated sample with the dioxetane. If the substance to be detected is present, enzyme bound thereto will cleave the protecting group of the dioxetane, causing the dioxetane to decompose and chemiluminescence. The intensity of luminescence is indicative of the concentration of the substance in the sample. The substance to be detected may be an enzyme, in which case no binding group is necessary.

Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a 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, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assays for the determination of the presence or amount of a biopolymer in bound assays using 1,2-dioxetanes in connection with AttoPhos.TM. as chemiluminescent substrates for enzyme-labeled targets or probes is provided. Further disclosed is a kit for conducting a bioassay for the presence or concentration of a biopolymer comprising a) an enzyme complex; b) a 1,2-dioxetane; and c) AttoPhos.TM..

Abstract: A new class of stable dioxetanes bears a polycyclic stabilizing group and aryloxy moiety, the oxygen atom of which is provided with a protective group which can be removed by an enzymatic or chemical trigger admixed with the dioxetane. The polycyclic stabilizing group is preferably spiroadamantane. The group further bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy or cycloalkyloxy moiety which is partially or completely substituted with halogens, particularly fluorine and chlorine. Proper selection of electron active groups on the stabilizing moiety, the aryl group and the OR group yields enhanced enzyme kinetics, superior light intensity and excellent detection sensitivity in various assays.

Abstract: 1, 2-dioxetane compounds bearing a proteolytic enzyme specific amino acid or peptide are provided, which amino acid or peptide can be removed by action of the corresponding protease. When the amino acid or peptide is removed, the 1,2-dioxetane decomposes with chemiluminescence, the generation of light providing a rapid, ultra-sensitive and convenient means for detecting the presence of the protease in the sample being inspected. The amount of light generated, or degree of chemiluminescence, can be correlated with the amount of protease present. Immunoassays, as well as DNA hybridization and DNA probe assays are provided.

Abstract: Novel 1,2-dioxetanes with improved chemiluminescent properties, such as signal intensity, S/N ratio, T1/2, etc. are provided by spiroadamantyl 1,2-dioxetanes, wherein the remaining carbon atom of the ring bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkoxy substituent, and either a phenyl or naphthyl ring, this aromatic ring bearing, at the meta position on the phenyl group, or a non-conjugated position on the naphthyl ring, a OX moiety wherein X is an enzyme-cleavable group, which when removed from the dioxetane, leaves the oxyanion which decomposies with chemiluminescence, the aryl ring further bearing an electron active substituent Z. The nature and placement of the Z substituent, at a position not adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane ring, strongly influences the properties of the dioxetane. Assays, as well as kits for the performance of those assays, include the dioxetane, an enzyme capable of cleaving the X group, and in certain cases, membranes and chemiluminscent enhancement agents.

Abstract: Enzymatically cleavable chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane compounds capable of producing light energy when decomposed, substantially stable at room temperature before a bond by which an enzymatically cleavable labile substituent thereof is intentionally cleaved, are disclosed. These compounds can be represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: X and X.sup.1 each represent, individually, hydrogen, a hydroxyl group, a halo substituent, an unsubstituted lower alkyl group, a hydroxy (lower) alkyl group, a halo (lower) alkyl group, a phenyl group, a halophenyl group, an alkoxyphenyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, a cyano group or an amide group, with at least one of X and X.sup.1 being other than hydrogen; andR.sub.1 and R.sub.2, individually or together, represent an organic substituent that does not interfere with the production of light when the dioxetane compound is enzymatically cleaved and that satisfies the valence of the dioxetane compound's 4-carbon atom, with the provisos that if R.sup.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A new and improved polymeric membrane for use in biological assays is provided. A blotting assay employing 1,2-dioxetanes as a source of chemiluminescent employs, as an improved membrane, a polymer comprised of at least one monomer of the formula: ##STR1## The membranes reduce background signal, improve sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: In an assay method in which a member of a specific binding pair is detected by means of an optically detectable reaction, the improvement wherein the optically detectable reaction includes the reaction, with an enzyme, of a dioxetane having the formula ##STR1## where T is a cycloalkyl or polycycloalkyl group bonded to the 4-membered ring portion of the dioxetane by a spiro linkage; Y is a fluorescent chromophore; X is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, or enzyme-cleavable group; and Z is hydrogen or an enzyme-cleavable group, provided that at least one of X or Z must be an enzyme-cleavable group, so that the enzyme cleaves the enzyme-cleavable group from the dioxetane to form a negatively charged substituent bonded to the dioxetane, the negatively charged substituent causing the dioxetane to decompose to form a luminescent substance that includes group Y of said dioxetane.