Structural and luminescence properties of [Ln(ODA)(phen)·4H2O] complexes (Ln=Sm and Dy, ODA=oxydiacetate, phen=1,10-phenanthroline)

Two novel complexes of Sm(III) and Dy(III) with mixed oxydiacetate (ODA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands were synthesized and their structure and luminescence properties were characterized. The complexes of [Ln(ODA)(phen)·4H₂O]Cl·5H₂O [Ln=Sm and Dy] crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with Sm: a=12.3401(14) Å, b=16.821(2), c=12.6847(11) Å, β=107.939(10)°, V=2505.0(5) Å³, Z=4 and ρ=1.841 mg/m³, and with Dy: a=12.289(7) Å, b=16.805(6) Å, c=12.705(4) Å, β=108.144(18)°, V=2493.4(19) Å³, Z=4 and ρ=1.786 mg/m³. The complexes of [Sm(ODA)(phen)·4H₂O]⁺ and [Dy(ODA)(phen)·4H₂O]⁺ excited by UV light produce orange red and lightly white emissions, respectively, via the nonradiative energy transfer from phen to the metals. The quantum yield of the sensitized luminescence of [Dy(ODA)(phen)·4H₂O]⁺ (Q=19%) is much greater than that of [Sm(ODA)(phen)·4H₂O]⁺ (Q=1.4%). The luminescence decay times of the complexes were in a few microsecond range and independent of temperature.     

Hypersensitivity in the Luminescence and 4f?C4f Absorption Properties of Mono- and Dinuclear EuIII and ErIII Complexes Based on Fluorinated ??-Diketone and Diimine/ Bis-Diimine Ligands

The results of our investigation on the sensitized luminescence properties of three Eu(III) ??-diketonate complexes of the form [Eu₂(fod)₆(??-bpm)], [Eu(fod)₃(phen)] and [Eu(fod)₃(bpy)] and 4f?C4f absorption properties of their Er(III) analogues ( fod = anion of 6,6,7,7,8,8,8- heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione, bpm = 2,2??-bipyrimidine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and bpy = 2,2??-bipyridyl) in a series of non-aqueous solvents are presented. The Eu(III) complexes are highly luminescent and their luminescence properties (intensity and band shape) are sensitive to the changes in the inner coordination sphere of the Eu(III) ion. The luminescence intensity of the mononuclear complexes in pyridine is drastically decreased. The coordination structure of the complexes in pyridine is transformed into a more symmetrical one which results into a slow radiative rate of the emission from the complexes. The ancillary ligands, phen and bpy are found better co-sensitizers as compared to the bpm to sensitize Eu(III)-luminescence. The 4f?C4f absorption properties (oscillator strength and band shape) of the Er(III) complexes demonstrate that ⁴G_11/2 ?? ⁴I_11/2 and ²H_11/2 ?? ⁴I_15/2 hypersensitive transitions of Er(III) are very sensitive in some coordinating solvents which reflects complex?Csolvent interaction in solution. The hypersensitive transitions of [Er(fod)₃(phen)] remain unaffected in any of the solvents and this complex retains its bulk composition in solution. The erbium complexes as well as the Er(fod)₃ chelate are invaded by DMSO. This solvent enters the inner coordination sphere by replacing heterocyclic ligand and the complexes acquire similar structure [Er(fod)₃(DMSO)₂] in this solvent. The results reveal that the luminescence and absorption properties of lanthanide complexes in solution can be controlled by tuning the coordination structure through ancillary ligands and donor solvents. This work shall prove useful in designing new biological applications with such probes.     

Luminescent Langmuir-Blodgett film of a new amphiphilic Eu β-diketonate

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of the ligand 3-hexadecylpentane-2,4-dione (Hhdacac) and its Eu³⁺ complexes Eu(hdacac)₆·2H₂O, Eu(hdacac)₆·phen and Eu(hdacac)₆·tta, where phen and tta denote 1,10-phenanthroline and thenoyltrifluoroacetone, respectively. These new compounds present long carbon chains and their expected miscibility into non-polar ambients is confirmed by the emission spectra of Eu(hdacac)₆·tta in hexane. Moreover, the amphiphilic properties of Eu(hdacac)₆ complexes allow the obtainment of thin luminescent films by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In both cases (solids and films), the typical antenna effect of β-diketonates is observed. The alluring characteristics of these compounds raise great interest in many fields of Materials Science, like photo- and electro-luminescent materials (mainly thin “organic” films), metal catalysts or probes in non-polar solutions, and Langmuir-Blodgett films of several compositions. For the characterization of these products, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), thermogravimetric analysis, elementary analyses (C, H), scanning electron microscopy (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), absorption (UV-vis/FT-IR) and photoluminescence spectroscopies were used.     

Spectroscopic studies of the lanthanide(III) ions with pyridine carboxylic acid N-oxide ligands and in mixed ligand complexes

A series of Ln(III) complexes with pyridine carboxylic acid-N-oxides (L) Ln-L, and mixed ligand complexes of Ln-L plus bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (O-phen) (X) Ln-L-X have been studied. These complexes were characterized in solution using Nd(III) absorption in the spectral range of the ⁴I_9/2 → ⁴G_5/2 transition corresponding to the hypersensitive band, and in the solid state with the use of IR and Eu(III) luminescence spectroscopy. In solutions a series of Nd(III) complexes and mixed ligand complexes has been examined and the formation of binary LnL and LnL₂ complexes and mixed ligand LnL₂X complexes evidenced. Solid complexes of Eu(III) with nicotinic acid N-oxide and ternary with nicotinic acid N-oxide plus phen were studied with the use of Eu(III) luminescence lifetime measurements and IR spectroscopy, proving the formation of binary [Eu(nicN-oxide)₃(H₂O)₂].2H₂O and ternary [Eu(nicN-oxide)₃phen].H₂O complexes.     

A europium(III) organic ternary complex applied in fabrication of?near UV-based white light-emitting diodes

A β-diketone, 2-acetylfluorene-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione (HAFTFBD), and its three europium(III) complexes, Eu(AFTFBD)₃⋅2H₂O, Eu(AFTFBD)₃(TPPO)₂ and Eu(AFTFBD)₃phen, were designed and synthesized, where TPPO was triphenylphosphine oxide and phen was 1,10-phenanthroline. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-visible, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the Eu(III) complexes exhibit a high thermal stability,and wide and strong excitation bands when monitored at 613 nm. Excited by ∼395 nm near UV light, the complexes emitted strong and characteristic red light due to f–f transitions of the central Eu³⁺ ion, and no emission from the ligands was found. The photoluminescence mechanism of the europium(III) complexes was investigated and proposed as a ligand-sensitized luminescence process. Among the three europium(III) complexes, Eu(AFTFBD)₃phen exhibits the highest thermal stability and the most excellent photoluminescence properties. A bright red light-emitting diode was fabricated by coating the Eu(AFTFBD)₃phen complex onto an ∼395 nm-emitting InGaN chip, and the LED showed appropriate CIE chromaticity coordinates (x=0.66, y=0.33). A white LED with CIE chromaticity coordinates (x=0.32, y=0.32) was prepared with Eu(AFTFBD)₃phen as red phosphor, indicating that Eu(AFTFBD)₃phen can be applied as a red component for fabrication of near ultraviolet-based white light-emitting diodes.     

Energy transfer from Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes to dyes in their mixed nanostructures. I

The formation of nanostructures that consist of complexes of β-diketones with 1,10-phenanthroline and involve dyes of the polymethine, triphenylmethane, oxazine, and xanthene series is observed in aqueous solutions. It is found that nanostructures of complexes of Ln(III) ions and dyes are reliably observed at concentrations of Ln complexes from 0.5 to 5 μM and at dye concentrations above 5 nM. Nanostructures of complexes Eu(MBTA)₃phen, Eu(NTA)₃phen, Eu(PTA)₃phen, Tb(PTA)₃phen, Gd(MBTA)₃phen, and Lu(MBTA)₃phen with dyes are studied, where MBTA is n-methoxybenzoyltrifluoroacetone, NTA is naphthoyltrifluoroacetone, PTA is pivaloyltrifluoroacetone, and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline. It is shown that nanostructures formed can contain dye molecules not only inside a nanostructure of Ln complexes but also on its outer shell. It is proved that, at a dye concentration in the solution of the order of nanomole or higher, the formation of mixed nanostructures of Eu complexes and dyes whose S ₁ level is below the ⁵ D ₀ level of Eu(III) leads to the quenching of the luminescence of Eu(III) and gives rise to the sensitized luminescence of dyes. The energy transfer efficiency from Eu(III) ions to dye molecules is determined by the ability of these molecules to incorporate into nanostructures of Eu complexes. The effect of the formation of nanostructures on the shape and position of the spectra of luminescence and absorption of dyes is studied. Comparison of the sensitized luminescence intensities of Nile blue in structures of Eu, Lu, and Gd complexes shows that the greater part of the excitation energy of Eu complexes is transferred directly from ions to dye molecules according to the inductive-resonance energy transfer mechanism rather than by means of energy migration over singlet levels of organic ligands in complexes of a nanostructure.     

Photoluminescence, optical absorption and hypersensitivity in mono- and dinuclear lanthanide (Tb and Ho) β-diketonate complexes with diimines and bis-diimine bridging ligand

The photoluminescence properties of three Tb(III) complexes of the form [Tb₂(fod)₆(μ-bpm)], [Tb(fod)₃(phen)] and [Tb(fod)₃(bpy)] and optical absorption properties of their Ho(III) analogues (fod=anion of 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione, bpm=2,2′-bipyrimidine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline and bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl) in a series of solvents are presented. The luminescence of the complexes is sensitive to changes in environment (ligand/solvent) around Tb(III) and co-sensitization of the ancillary ligands. The enhancement of the luminescence intensity in coordinating solvents is attributed to the transformation of eight-coordination into less symmetric nine-coordination structure around Tb(III). Among phen and bpy, the phen is better co-sensitizer while bpm has been observed as poor co-sensitizer. The enhancement of the oscillator strength of ⁵G₆←⁵I₈ hypersensitive transition in the 4f-4f absorption in some coordinating solvents is attributed to decrease in the symmetry of the field around Ho(III) ion. The [Ho(fod)₃(phen)] is inert towards the solvents and retains its bulk structure and composition in solution. The transformation of the holmium complexes in DMSO into [Ho(fod)₃(DMSO)₂] species is found. The results reveal that the luminescence and 4f-4f absorption properties of lanthanide complexes in solution can be modulated by tuning the coordination structure through ancillary ligands and donor solvents.     

Syntheses, crystal structure and luminescence property of novel 4f-3d heterometallic one-dimensional coordination polymers

Two 4f-3d heterometallic one-dimensional coordination polymers [ZnEu₂(Fur)₈·2H₂O]n and [ZnTb₂(Fur)₈·2H₂O]n (HFur=α-furancarboxylic acid) with good solubility were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, X-ray single crystal and powder diffractions, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and excitation and emission spectra. The X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the two complexes are isomorphous. The Zn and Ln atoms are linked into one-dimensional chains by furancarboxylate ligands and the metal atoms are arranged in the ···Zn···Ln···Ln···Zn···Ln···Ln···order. Under the excitation of UV light, these coordination polymers emit intense characteristic luminescence of Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ion, respectively. The influence of Zn²⁺ ion on the luminescence properties was also discussed here.     

铕(Ⅲ)-呋喃甲酸配合物的光谱表征

以硝酸铕 ,呋喃甲酸和邻菲咯啉 (phen)合成了配合物 [Eu(FA) 3·2H2 O]·NO3(4 ,4’ Hbpy) ,[Eu(FA) 3·phen]H2 O和Eu(FA) 2 ·NO3·phen。用元素分析、红外吸收光谱、紫外吸收光谱和溶液荧光光谱对配合物进行了组成确定和表征。溶液荧光光谱表明 ,配合物 [Eu(FA) 3·2H2 O]·NO3(4 ,4’ Hbpy)的发光强度比混配配合物Eu(FA) 2 ·NO3·phen和 [Eu(FA) 3·phen]H2 O的发光强度小很多 ,而且发光寿命较短 ,三元配合物 [Eu(FA) 3·phen]H2 O的发光强度比四元配合物Eu(FA) 2 ·NO3·phen的发光强度略大     

Deactivation pathways of the electronic excitation of ions of lanthanide complexes in polymers with functional groups

Complexes Eu(TTA)₃phen and Eu(MBTA)₃phen, as well as complexes Tb(MBTA)₃phen and Tb(TTA)₃phen, which do not luminesce in solutions, are shown to luminesce in polymer films (TTA is thenoyltrifluoroacetone, MBTA is n-methoxybenzoyltrifluoroacetone, and phen is o-phenanthroline). Luminescence of complexes of Eu and Tb in films of a polymer, poly(methylene-bis-anthranilamide) 1,6-hexamethylenedicarboxylic acid (PAA-5), having a high concentration of functional anthranilate groups, is studied. From the behavior of the luminescence intensity (I _lum), the luminescence decay time, and the luminescence spectra of complexes of these lanthanides in polymer films, the following regular features were revealed. (i) During the film preparation at 90°C, Ln complexes are attached to PAA-5 via anthranilate groups. (ii) Irradiation of these films in the range of the absorption band of ligands (TTA or MBTA) leads to deactivation of the electronic excitation of ions according to the diketone detachment mechanism and to further binding of complexes to polymers. In this case, I _lum(Eu(III)) decreases because the introduction of anthranilate groups of the polymer into the first coordination sphere of Eu(III) complexes enhances the nonradiative deactivation of these ions, whereas I _lum(Tb(III)) increases since the introduction of these groups suppresses the nonradiative deactivation of Tb complexes through triplet states of ligands (TTA and MBTA). (iii) Upon storage of films in the dark (20°C), complexes detach themselves from the polymer and return to their initial structure. In PAA-5 films into which Eu and Tb complexes were simultaneously introduced, the color of the emission from the irradiation spot changes from red to green.     

Influences of compositions and ligands on photoluminescent properties of Eu(III) ions in composite europium complex/PMMA systems

Three kinds of europium complexes; Eu(phen)₂Cl₃(H₂O)₂, Eu(DN-bpy)phenCl₃(H₂O)₂ and Eu(DB-bpy)phenCl₃(H₂O)₂ (phen: 1,10-phenanthroline, DN-bpy: 4,4′-Dinonyl-2,2′-dipyridyl, DB-bpy: 4,4′-Di-tert-butyl-2,2′-dipyridyl) were prepared and then incorporated into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix with different molar ratios of CO groups/Eu³⁺ ions. The final solid composites were formed by a self-assembly process among Eu³⁺ ion, the ligands and PMMA during the solvent evaporation process, and then the ligands re-coordinate to Eu(III). It was found that the ligands affect not only the emission properties of the pure complexes, but also the miscibility of the complexes and PMMA. More than one kind of symmetric sites of Eu³⁺ ions were formed in the composites due to the coordination of CO in PMMA to Eu³⁺ ions. The micro-environments of Eu(III) in the composites were changed with the compositions and the ligands, leading to the change in the crystalline structure, and consequently, the emission characteristics.     

Spectroscopic studies of lanthanide(III) ion complexes with diethyl(phthalimidomethyl) phosphonate

Complexation and photophysical properties of complexes of lanthanide ions, Ln(III), with diethyl(phthalimidomethyl)phosphonate ligand, DPIP, were studied. Interactions between Ln(III) and DPIP were investigated using Nd(III) absorption and Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence (emission and excitation) spectra, recorded in acetonitrile solution containing different counter ions (NO₃^-, Cl^- and ClO₄^-). Results of the absorption spectroscopy have shown that counter ions play a significant role in the complexation of Ln(III)/DPIP complexes. Studies of luminescence spectra of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions proved that the formation of Ln(III)/DPIP complexes of stoichiometry Ln:L=1:3 is preferred in solution. Based on the results of elemental analysis, Nd(III) absorption spectra and IR and NMR data, it was shown that the DPIP ligand binds Ln(III) ions via oxygen from phosphoryl group, forming complexes of a general formula Ln(DPIP)₃(NO₃)₃·H₂O, in which the NO₃^- ions are coordinated with the metal ion as bidentate ligands. Luminescent properties and energy transfer, from the ligand to Ln(III) ions in the complexes formed, were studied based on the emission and excitation spectra of Eu(III) and Tb(III). Their luminescent lifetimes and emission quantum yields were also measured.     

Relative Study of Luminescent Properties with Judd-Ofelt Characterization in Trivalent Europium Complexes Comprising ethyl-(4-fluorobenzoyl) Acetate

Five new europium(III) complexes Eu(p-EFBA)₃.(H₂O)₂ (C1), Eu(p-EFBA)₃.neo (C2), Eu(p-EFBA)₃.batho (C3), Eu(p-EFBA)₃.phen (C4), Eu(p-EFBA)₃.bipy (C5) have been synthesized by using ethyl-(4-fluorobenzoyl) acetate (p-EFBA) as β-ketoester ligand and neocuproine (neo), bathophenanthroline (batho), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2-bipyridyl (bipy) as ancillary ligands. The synthesized complexes C1-C5 were characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The relative study of luminescence spectra of complexes with the previously reported complexes of isomeric ligand (ortho and meta substituted ligand) indicate the higher luminescence properties of complexes as an effect of fluorine position on β-ketoester ligand. The para substituted ligand shows a remarkable effect on quantum efficiencies and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω_2, Ω₄) of the complexes. The higher value of intensity parameter Ω₂ associated with hypersensitive ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of europium(III) ion revealing highly polarizable ligand field. The purposed energy transfer mechanism of complexes indicates the efficient energy transfer in complexes.     

Mononuclear Co(III) and Ni(II) Complexes with Polypyridyl Ligands, [Co(phen)2(taptp)]3+ and [Ni(phen)2(taptp)]2+: Synthesis, Photocleavage and DNA-binding

Two novel, mixed ligand complexes of cobalt(III) and nickel(II), [Co(phen)₂(taptp)]³⁺ (1) and [Ni(phen)₂(taptp)]²⁺ (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and taptp = 4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno [9,10-b]triphenylene), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopies. The binding interactions of the two complexes with DNA have been investigated using absorption and emission spectroscopy methods and electrophoresis measurement mode. The intrinsic binding constants for these complexes to DNA are in the order of 10⁵. In Tris buffer, the Co(III) complex shows a moderate luminescence which was enhanced after binding to DNA. However for complex Ni(II), no emission was observed in Tris buffer. The [Co(phen)₂(taptp)]³⁺ and [Ni(phen)₂(taptp)]²⁺ can cause the photocleavage of DNA supercoiled pBR322 upon irradiation by 360 nm light. Based on the data, an intercalative mode of DNA binding is suggested for the two complexes.     

Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of Lanthanide (III) Perchlorate Complexes with Naphthyl-Naphthalinesulphonylpropyl Sulfoxide

A ligand with double sulfinyl groups, naphthyl-naphthalinesulphonylpropyl sulfoxide(dinaphthyl disulfoxide, L), was synthesized by a new method and its several lanthanide (III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, molar conductivity, coordination titration analysis, IR, TG-DTA, ¹HNMR and UV spectra. The composition of these complexes, were RE₂(ClO₄)₆·(L)₅·nH₂O (RE = La, Nd, Eu, Tb, Yb, n = 2 ∼ 6, L = C₁₀H₇SOC₃H₆SOC₁₀H₇). The fluorescent spectra illustrated that the Eu (III) complex had an excellent luminescence. It was supposed that the ligand was benefited for transferring the energy from ligand to the excitation state energy level (⁵D₀) of Eu (III). The Tb (III) complex displayed weak luminescence, which attributed to low energy transferring efficiency between the average triplet state energy level of ligand and the excited state (⁵D₄) of Tb (III). So the Eu (III) complex displayed a good antenna effect for luminescence. The phosphorescence spectra and the relationship between fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence intensity were also discussed.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of complexes of Eu(III) with 2-thienyltrifluoroacetonate, terephthalic acid and phenanthroline

This work reports the synthesis and luminescent properties of complexes of europium(III) with 2-thienyltrifluoroacetonate (HTTA), terephthalic acid (TPA) and phenanthroline (Phen), in the solid state. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and thermal stability analysis. Both binuclear complex Eu₂(TPA)(TTA)₄Phen₂ and polynuclear complex Eu(TPA)(TTA)Phen present better thermal stability than the mononuclear complex Eu(TTA)₃Phen does. The formation of the binuclear/polynuclear structure of the complexes appears to be responsible for the enhancement of the thermal stability. The emission spectra show narrow emission bands that arise from the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (J=0-4) transition of the Eu³⁺ ion. The spectral data of the complexes Eu(TPA)(TTA)Phen and Eu₂(TPA)(TTA)₄Phen₂ present only one sharp peak in the region of the ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ transition indicating that only one Eu³⁺ ion species is present in each sample. In addition, the luminescence decay curves of the complexes Eu(TPA)(TTA)Phen and Eu₂(TPA)(TTA)₄Phen₂ fit a single-exponential decay law. The values of quantum efficiencies of the emitting ⁵D₀ level for the complexes Eu(TPA)(TTA)Phen and Eu₂(TPA)(TTA)₄Phen₂ are 29% and 28%, respectively.     

Structural and luminescence studies of trivalent europium complexes with pentaethylene glycol and 18-crown-6 ligands in the presence of picrate anion

Two new isostructural complexes of europium picrate (Eu-Pic) with pentaethylene glycol (EO5) and 18-crown-6 (18C6) ligands formed complexes of molecular formula [Eu(Pic)₂(18C6)]⁺(Pic)⁻I and [Eu(Pic)₂(EO5)]⁺(Pic)⁻II have been isolated and characterised. Compound I showed 10-coordination number through six oxygen atoms from the 18C6 ligand and two bidentate picrate anions. Meanwhile, compound II exhibited 9-coordination number via six oxygen atoms from EO5 ligand, two oxygen atoms from a bidentate and one oxygen atom from monodentate picrate anions. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the solid-state europium complexes display sharp lines which are assigned to ⁵D₀→⁷F_0-4 and ⁵D₁→⁷F_1,2,4 transitions. No emission of polyether ligands is observed, indicating that the energy transfer from the polyether ligands to the Eu³⁺ ion is quite efficient. The PL spectra of [Eu(Pic)₂(OH₂)₆]⁺(Pic)⁻·6H₂O III, [Eu(NO₃)₃(OH₂)₃]·(18C6) IV, [Eu(NO₃)₃·6H₂O] V and Eu₂O₃VI are also observed. Compounds I-IV exhibited high Ω₂ intensity parameter values, namely 16.93, 10.23, 17.10 and 12.35 (in units of 10⁻²⁰ cm²), respectively. These relatively high values reflect the hypersensitive behaviour of the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition and indicate that the Eu³⁺ ion is located in a highly polarisable chemical environment.     

Induced assembly and photoluminescence of lanthanum (Tb, Eu, Dy) complexes/ZnO/polyethylene glycol hybrid phosphors

Some novel kinds of hybrid phosphors were assembled with lanthanum (Tb, Eu, Dy) complexes (with four kinds of terbium complexes is 2,4-dihydroxybenzonic acid (DHBA), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), acetylacetone (AA) and nicotinic acid (Nic), respectively) doped ZnO/PEG particles by co-precipitation approach derived from Zn(CH₃COO)₂ (Zn(AC)₂), NaOH, PEG as precursors at room temperature. The characteristic luminescence spectra for f-f transitions of Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺ were observed. It is worthy to point out that ZnO is the excellent host for lanthanum ions by the assembly of PEG matrices.     

Energy transfer from Eu(III) complexes to dyes in their mixed nanostructures. II

The effects of the concentration of a number of dyes in an aqueous solution and of the method of formation of mixed nanostructures of dyes and Eu(MBTA)₃phen (MBTA is p-methoxybenzoyltrifluoroacetone; phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes that form these structures on the luminescence decay kinetics of Eu(III) ions are studied. It is shown that, in the concentration range 5–50 nM of Nile blue, the concentration dependences of the luminescence decay and of the decrease in τ _lum of Eu(III) nearly coincide and are nearly linear. The dependence of the ratio of I _lum of Eu(III) to the intensity of the sensitized delayed fluorescence of Nile blue on the delay time of the probe pulse is analyzed; it is found that the majority of dye molecules incorporated in nanostructures of Eu(MBTA)₃phen complexes emit sensitized delayed fluorescence with times 1–50 μs. Analysis of the effect of the structure of nanostructures on the quenching of I _lum of Eu(III) by the dye at different concentrations of Eu(III) shows that nanostructures of Eu(MBTA)₃phen and Eu(NTA)₃phen (NTA is 2-naphthoyltrifluoroacetone) complexes appear in the aqueous solution at a concentration of Eu(III) of 0.1 μM (the MBTA or NTA concentration is 50 μM, and the concentration of phen is 17 μM) and exist in the solution at the Eu(III) concentrations up to ～5 μM. This confirms the conclusion on the occurrence range of nanostructures of Ln complexes previously made based on the analysis of columinescence in these structures.     

N‐Methylbenzoazacrown ethers with the nitrogen atom conjugated with the benzene ring: the improved synthesis and the reasons for the high stability of complexes with metal and ammonium cations

An improved method for the synthesis of formyl derivatives of N‐methylbenzoazacrown ethers is proposed. They are prepared in up to 68% yields over fewer steps and with a much shorter time required for the last step. The stability constants of complexes formed by N‐methylbenzoazacrown ethers and their structural analogs with alkali metal, alkaline‐earth metal and ammonium cations were determined by ¹H NMR titration in CD₃CN. High stability of complexes of N‐methyl derivatives of benzoazacrown ethers is demonstrated, comparable with or even exceeding the stability of benzocrown‐ether complexes and markedly exceeding the stability of complexes of phenylazacrown ethers with the same macrocycle size. The structures of azacrown ethers and their complexes with Ba(ClO₄)₂ were studied by X‐ray diffraction. A high degree of pre‐organization of N‐methylbenzoazacrown ethers toward the formation of complexes with metal and ammonium cations was noted, which is due to the clear‐cut pyramidal geometry of the nitrogen atom and the orientation of the lone electron pairs (LEPs) of most heteroatoms towards the centre of the macroheterocycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.