Electrochemical luminescence assay

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a novel compound consisting of a specific Ru complex containing a 2,2'-bipyridine compound as a ligand, emitting electromagnetic radiations, when receiving an electrochemical energy, and useful for analysis as an electrochemical luminescence labeling compound, etc. SOLUTION: A novel ruthenium complex compound of formula I (m, n are the same or different integers, respectively). The complex compound is useful for e.g. an electrochemical luminescence assay comprising combining the ruthenium complex compound as an electrochemical luminescence labeling compound with a target substance to be analyzed, applying an electrochemcial energy to the labeling compound and subsequently detecting the electromagnetic radiations emitted from the labeling compound, because the ruthenium complex compound emits electromagnetic radiations, when receiving the electrochemical energy. The compound is obtained by reacting 4-(4-methyl-2,2'-bipyrid-4'-yl) butyric acid of formula II with ruthenium bipyridyl dichloride dihydrate, and subsequently esterifying the reaction product with a dihydroxy-steroid compound, etc. COPYRIGHT: (C)1997,JPO