| abstract |
A dicationic surfactant for enhancing the chemiluminescence of chemiluminescent compounds particularly dioxetanes which are triggerable is described. The surfactant has the formula X<->(R1)3A<+>CH2-Link-CH2A<+>(R2)3X<-> wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and nitrogen atoms separately or together, wherein X is an anionic counterion and R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted alkyl and aralkyl groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R1 and R2 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. <IMAGE> |