The chloride and nitrate salts of Tb(III) and Eu(III) can be employed as luminescent chromophores for reversed-phase liquid chromatographic detection. The method is applicable to specific compounds that are capable of either transferring energy to, or quenching the background luminescence of, a lanthanide ion. Addition of the lanthanide ion is achieved through a post-column reaction device. Mobile phases containing methanol and acetonitrile can be employed. Significant quenching of the lanthanide luminescence is observed in mobile phases containing water. This quenching can be reduced by the addition of potassium acetate. Higher temperatures increase the intermolecular energy transfer resulting in an increase in the sensitivity. Oxygen quenches the lanthanide luminescence and measures to remove oxygen from the mobile phase must be taken. The selectivity of the energy transfer can be used to both simplify chromatograms and aid in the identification of compounds.