Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay method and compositions are described which use a haloalkoxy group-substituted dioxetane which is deprotected by a hydrolytic enzyme to undergo a chemiluminescent reaction. Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane compounds substituted on the dioxetane ring with a haloalkoxy group which can be triggered by a reagent to generate light are disclosed. Haloalkoxy group-substituted dioxetanes are useful for the detection of triggering agents including enzymes. The enzyme may be present alone or linked to a member of a specific binding pair in an immunoassay, DNA probe assay or other assay where the enzyme is bound to a reporter molecule.

Abstract: Acridans which are reactable with a peroxidase and peroxide. The acridans are characterized by having an aromatic leaving group ArO which is a di- or polyhalosubstituted phenoxy group. The compounds are useful in assays where one member of a binding pair is linked to the peroxidase and for detecting the peroxidase. The method can also be used to detect hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay method, compositions, kits and chemiluminescent acridan compounds are described which use a two-step chemiluminescent reaction process. The reaction involves an acridan compound, preferably a derivative of an N-alkylacridan-9-carboxylic acid, which undergoes a reaction with a peroxide compound, a peroxidase enzyme and an enhancer under conditions of time, temperature and pH which permit the accumulation of an intermediate compound, which is subsequently induced to produce a burst of light by raising the pH. The result is generation of very high intensity light from the reaction. The peroxidase enzyme is present alone or linked to a member of a specific binding pair in an immunoassay, DNA probe assay or other assay where the hydrolytic enzyme is bound to a reporter molecule. The method is particularly amenable to automated assays because of the separation of the incubation and light generating steps.

Abstract: Stable, enzymatically triggered chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes with improved water solubility and storage stability are provided. Dioxetanes further substituted with two or more water-solubilizing groups disposed on the dioxetane structure and an additional fluorine atom or lower alkyl group provide superior performance by eliminating the problem of reagent carryover when used in assays performed on capsule chemistry analytical systems. These dioxetanes display substantially improved stability on storage. Compositions comprising these dioxetanes, a non-polymeric cationic surfactant enhancer and optionally a fluorescer, for providing enhanced chemiluminescence are also provided.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay method, compositions and kits are described which use a protected phenolic enhancer compound which is deprotected by a hydrolytic enzyme and then enhances a chemiluminescent reaction. The reaction involves an acridan compound, preferably a derivative of an N-alkylacridan-9-carboxylic acid, which is activated to produce light by a peroxide compound and a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of the deprotected enhancer. The result is enhanced generation of light from the reaction. The hydrolytic enzyme is present alone or linked to a member of a specific binding pair in an immunoassay, DNA probe assay or other assay where the hydrolytic enzyme is bound to a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay method, compositions, kits and chemiluminescent acridan compounds are described which use a two-step chemiluminescent reaction process. The reaction involves an acridan compound, preferably a derivative of an N-alkylacridan-9-carboxylic acid, which undergoes a reaction with a peroxide compound, a peroxidase enzyme and an enhancer under conditions of time, temperature and pH which permit the accumulation of an intermediate compound, which is subsequently induced to produce a burst of light by raising the pH. The result is generation of very high intensity light from the reaction. The peroxidase enzyme is present alone or linked to a member of a specific binding pair in an immunoassay, DNA probe assay or other assay where the hydrolytic enzyme is bound to a reporter molecule. The method is particularly amenable to automated assays because of the separation of the incubation and light generating steps.

Abstract: A dicationic surfactant for enhancing the chemiluminescence of chemiluminescent compounds particularly dioxetanes which are triggerable is described. The surfactant has the formulaX.sup.- (R.sub.1).sub.3 A.sup.+ CH.sub.2 -Link-CH.sub.2 A.sup.+ (R.sub.2).sub.3 X.sup.-wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and nitrogen atoms separately or together, wherein X is an anionic counterion and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different, and wherein Link is a carbon chain group selected from the group consisting of dialkylenearyl, aryl, alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene groups containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The surfactants are particularly useful in Western and Southern blot assays.

Abstract: Acridans which are reactable with a peroxidase and peroxide. The acridans are characterized by having an aromatic leaving group ArO which is a di- or polyhalosubstituted phenoxy group. The compounds are useful in assays where one member of a binding pair is linked to the peroxidase and for detecting the peroxidase. The method can also be used to detect hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Aryl N-alkylacridanthiocarboxylate compounds which produce chemiluminescence. The compounds produce light with peroxide and peroxidase. The compounds are used as a substrate in assays for various analytes.

Abstract: A dicationic surfactant for enhancing the chemiluminescence of chemiluminescent compounds particularly dioxetanes which are triggerable is described. The surfactant has the formulaX.sup.- (R.sub.1).sub.3 A.sup.+ CH.sub.2 --Link--CH.sub.2 A.sup.+ (R.sub.2).sub.3 X.sup.-wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and nitrogen atoms separately or together, wherein X is an anionic counterion and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different, and wherein Link is a carbon chain group selected from the group consisting of dialkylenearyl, aryl, alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene groups containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The surfactants are particularly useful in Western and Southern blot assays.

Abstract: A dicationic surfactant for enhancing the chemiluminescence of chemiluminescent compounds particularly dioxetanes which are triggerable is described. The surfactant has the formulaX.sup.- (R.sub.1).sub.3 A.sup.+ CH.sub.2 --Link--CH.sub.2 A.sup.+ (R.sub.2).sub.3 X.sup.-wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and nitrogen atoms separately or together, wherein X is an anionic counterion and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different, and wherein Link is a carbon chain group selected from the group consisting of dialkylenearyl, aryl, alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene groups containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The surfactants are particularly useful in Western and Southern blot assays.