Direct Sensing of Atrazine as an Anodic Coreactant of Electrochemiluminescence

Abstract

This work presents a preliminary electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based principle for the direct quantification of ATZ in an organic medium, exploiting its function as an anodic coreactant with the luminophore tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃2+). The electrochemical oxidation of ATZ generates reactive radical in­ termediates that interact with the oxidized luminophore to produce a characteristic ECL emission. Importantly, trace amounts of water in the organic solvent act as a co-reactant accelerator (CRA), enhancing the ECL signal. This simple and reagent-free detection strategy avoids complex chemical modifications or enzymatic steps. Given that the detection is based on the amine functionalities of ATZ, this approach holds promise for extension to otheragrochemicals containing amine groups. As a proof-of-concept study, the analytical figures of merit reflect the intrinsic behavior of this newly established detection mechanism, providing a foundation for future optimization and sensitivity improvements. The versatility and cost-effectiveness of this technique highlight its potential as an analytical platform for environmental monitoring and agro-industrial applications.