A chemiluminescence method for assaying compounds containing primary amino groups using 1-cyano-2-substituted benz(f)- or naphth(f)-isoindole fluorescers is disclosed. The 1-cyano-2-substituted benz(f)- or naphth(f)-isoindole (CBI or CNI) is formed by reacting a compound containing a primary amino group with naphthalene-2-3-dicarboxaldehyde or anthracene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde in the presence of cyanide ion. The reaction product of hydrogen peroxide with an oxalate ester is then combined with the CBI or CNI to form an analyte which exhibits chemiluminescence. A detector is used to measure the chemiluminescence emission from the chemiluminescence derivatized analytes. Compounds containing primary amino groups which may be assayed according to the present invention include primary amines, amino acids, peptides and catecholamines. The method can also be adapted to the analysis of trace amounts of cyanide ion and hydrogen peroxide.