Chemiluminescence of β-lactam antibiotics following oxidation by potassium Superoxide

The complexes formed by potassium Superoxide (KO2) with 18-crown-6-ether in acetonitrile are stable and extremely strong oxidizers. Eleven different β-lactam antibiotics were tested for Chemiluminescence (CL) by using such an oxidizer and seven of them gave measurable signals. A linear relationship was obtained between the chemiluminescent peak height and the concentration of penicillin G and dicloxacillin.