Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of 6‐mercaptopurine based on a new system of potassium permanganate–thioacetamide–sodium hexametaphosphate

A novel chemiluminescence method for the determination of 6‐mercaptopurine was established based on 6‐mercaptopurine inhibition of the chemiluminescence emission of potassium permanganate–thioacetamide–sodium hexametaphosphate system. The peak height was proportional to log 6‐mercaptopurine concentration in the range 7.0 × 10^?10 to 1.0 × 10^?7 g/mL and the detection limit was 1.9 × 10^?11 g/mL (S/N = 3). The relative standard deviation was 1.5% for the determination of 8.0 × 10^?8 g/mL 6‐mercaptopurine (n = 11). The proposed sensor was successfully applied to the analysis of 6‐mercaptopurine in human serum samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.