Fluorescence properties of mixed-ligand europium carboxylates

Mixed-ligand binuclear and mononuclear europium carboxylate complexes with nitrogen-and phosphorus-containing neutral ligands have been studied by luminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The coordination of neutral ligands through the nitrogen donor atom leads to an increase in electron density at the Eu³⁺ atom. In groups of carboxylates of the same type, the coordination of neutral donor ligands leads to an increase in the relative intensity of the ⁵ D ₀-⁷ F ₄ electric dipole transition. Analysis of the luminescence excitation spectra points to the presence of two excitation energy transfer channels for mixed-ligand europium trifluoroacetate and toluate complexes and of one channel for europium cinnamate complexes with neutral ligands.