The effect of Ru(bipy)3^2^+, H2SO4, Ce(IV) and α -hydroxy acids on CL reaction rates between Ce(IV) and Ru(bipy)3^2^+ (bipy=2, 2'-bipyridine) was systematically studied. The results was shown that the chemiluminescence reaction rates were proportional to the concentration of Ru(bipy)3^2^+, Ce(IV) and α-hytroxy acids, respectively. It was inversely proportional to the square of the concentration of H2SO4. The coupled chemiluminescent reaction mechanism and rate equation were proposed, which was consistant with our experimental results.

Key words: CARBOXYLIC ACID, REACTION MECHANISM, SULFURIC ACID, CERIUM, RUTHENIUM, BIPYRIDINE, CHEMILUMINESSENCE, COUPLING REACTION