Bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 4-(benzoazol-2-yl)-3-hydroxyphenyl moiety: chemiluminescence profile for base-induced decomposition in aprotic medium and in aqueous medium

Four bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-hydroxyphenyl or 4-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-3-hydroxyphenyl group were synthesized. These dioxetanes underwent base-induced decomposition with accompanying emission of light with high efficiency in NaOH/H2O as well as in tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride (TBAF)/acetonitrile. Among them, benzothiazol-analogs decomposed faster in the aqueous solution than in acetonitrile.