Metal‐Ion Sensing Europium(III) Complexes with Bidentate Phosphine Oxide Ligands Containing a 2,2′‐Bipyridine Framework

Novel Eu^III complexes with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands containing a bipyridine framework, i.e., [3,3′‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine]tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(hfa)₃(BIPYPO)]) and [3,3′‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐6,6′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(hfa)₃(Me‐BIPYPO)]), were synthesized for lanthanide‐based sensor materials having high emission quantum yields and effective chemosensing properties. The emission quantum yields of [Eu(hfa)₃(BIPYPO)] and [Eu(hfa)₃(Me‐BIPYPO)] were 71 and 73%, respectively. Metal‐ion sensing properties of the Eu^III complexes were also studied by measuring the emission spectra of Eu^III complexes in the presence of Zn^II or Cu^II ions. The metal‐ion sensing and the photophysical properties of luminescent Eu^III complexes with a bidentate phosphine oxide containing 2,2′‐bipyridine framework are demonstrated for the first time.     

Effects of Zinc(II) on the Luminescence of Europium(III) in Complexes Containing β‐Diketone and Schiff Bases

The UV, excitation, and luminescence spectra of tris(pivaloyltrifluoroacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(pta)₃]; Hpta=1,1,1‐trifluoro‐5,5‐dimethylhexane‐2,4‐dione=HA) were measured in the presence of bis(salicylidene)trimethylenediamine (H₂saltn), bis[5‐(tert‐butyl)salicylidene]trimethylenediamine (H₂(^tBu)saltn), or bis(salicylidene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyldiamine (H₂salchn), and the corresponding Zn^II complexes [ZnB] (B=Schiff base). The excitation and luminescence spectra of the solution containing [Eu(pta)₃] and [Zn(salchn)] exhibited much stronger intensities than those of solutions containing the other [ZnB] complexes. The introduction of a ^tBu group into the Schiff base was not effective in sensitizing the luminescence of [Eu(pta)₃]. The luminescence spectrum of [ZnB] showed a band around 450 nm. The intensity decreased in the presence of [Eu(pta)₃], reflecting complexation between [Eu(pta)₃] and [ZnB]. On the basis of the change in intensity against the concentration of [ZnB], stability constants were determined for [Eu(pta)₃Zn(saltn)], [Eu(pta)₃Zn{(^tBu)saltn}], and [Eu(pta)₃Zn(salchn)] as 4.13, 4.9 and 5.56, respectively (log , where =[[Eu(pta)₃ZnB]]([[Eu(pta)₃]][[ZnB]])^?1). The quantum yields of these binuclear complexes were determined as 0.15, 0.11, and 0.035, although [Eu(pta)₃Zn(salchn)] revealed the strongest luminescence at 613 nm. The results of X‐ray diffraction analysis for [Eu(pta)₃Zn(saltn)] showed that Zn^II had a coordination number of five and was bridged with Eu^III by three donor O‐atoms, i.e., two from the salicylidene moieties and one from the ketonato group pta.     

Synthesis and Luminescence Study of Europium Complexes with Carboxylic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline Ligands

A series of euroPium(Ⅱ)eomPlexes with earboxylie aeids andl,10-Phenantl飞ro-line:Eu(L):·pllen·jHoO,wl:ereL-formate,3-hydroxy-4-metlloxybenzoate,4一metl、oxybenzoate,4一ehloroPhenoxyaeetate,and diPI、enylaeetate,were synthesizedand el、araeterized by elemental analysis,UV sPeetrum,IR speetrum and melting point.IR da亡a eonfirmed tllat euroPium 15 eoordinated wirh 0 donor atoms in earboxy!ie aeidand N donor atoms inl,10一phenanthroline.A strong ligand一loealized absorption at270 nm!ed to a series of meta!一eentered emission bands between 580 and 710 nm as-signedto ~5D_0-7F_(0.1.2.3.)     

Luminescent Soft Material: Two New Europium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Two new Eu‐based ionic liquid systems, [C₄mim][DTSA] : [Eu(DTSA)₃] and 2[C₄mim] [DTSA] : [Eu(DTSA)₃] were synthesized at 120° under inert conditions from 1‐butyl‐1‐methylimidazolium ditoluenesulfonylamide ([C₄mim][DTSA]). The identity and purity of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. As they solidify below 100° as glasses they qualify as ionic liquids. Fluorescence measurements show that the materials exhibit a strong red luminescence of high color purity. Therefore, they have the potential to be used for optical applications such as in emission displays.     

Solution Chemistry of Europium(III) Aqua Ion at Micromolar Concentrations as Probed by Direct Excitation Luminescence Spectroscopy

Direct excitation europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy is used to study the speciation of aqueous europium(III) ions at micromolar concentrations and near neutral pH. The pH and concentration dependence of the europium(III) ⁷F₀→⁵D₀ excitation peak is consistent with the formation of both mononuclear and dinuclear europium(III) hydroxide complexes at pH 6.5. Luminescence intensity and lifetime quenching studies in the presence of Nd^III at pH 5.0 and 6.5 support the formation of a dinuclear complex at pH 6.5. Steady state excitation and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy are consistent with the formation of innersphere nitrate and fluoride complexes, but outersphere perchlorate and chloride complexes at pH 6.5 and 5.0.     

Synthesis and Relaxometric Properties of Gadolinium(III) Complexes of New Triazine‐Based Polydentate Ligands

Two new derivatives based on an s‐triazine structural motif were synthesized by attaching two 2,2′‐hydrazinylidenebis[acetic acid] moieties to the triazine ring to reach an overall heptadenticity for the complexation of lanthanide(III) cations. The remaining reactive site was exploited for the substitution with a functionizable amino group (see H₄ L1 ) and a lipophilic moiety (see H₄ L2 ). Luminescence‐lifetime determinations revealed the presence of a single H₂O molecule coordinated for [Eu( L1 )]. A complete ¹H‐NMR relaxometric study was carried out for the octacoordinated [Gd( L1 )] and [Gd( L2 )] complexes. A remarkably long H₂O residence lifetime (²⁹⁸τ_M =5.2 μs) was found by ¹⁷O‐NMR in the case of [Gd( L1 )]. Micelle formation of the lipophilic complex [Gd( L2 )] was evidenced, the critical micellization concentration (cmc) determined, and relaxometric properties of the system investigated.     

Synthesis,Structure, Luminescent and Thermal Properties of Ytterbium(III) and Dysprosium(III) Complexes with 5‐Sulfoisophthalic Acid Sodium Salt

Two rare earth metal‐organic framework compounds [Ybsip(H₂O)₅] · 3H₂O ( 1 ) and [Dysip(H₂O)₄] ( 2 ) (NaH₂sip: 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid sodium salt) were synthesized hydrothermally, and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. In complex 1 , each Yb^III atom is nine‐coordinate with a distorted monocapped tetragonal prismatic arrangement. Two carboxylate groups of each sip^3– molecule adopt the same μ₁‐η¹:η¹ chelating coordination model connecting two Yb^III atoms. The oxygen atoms of the sulfonate group do not participate in coordination with Yb^III. The whole sip^3– molecule acts as a μ₂ bridge to form an one‐dimensional (1D) chain structure. The 1D chains are linked by hydrogen bonding to generate two‐dimensional layers, and are further combined together to form a three‐dimensional structure. In complex 2 , the Dy^III atom is nine‐coordinate with a distorted monocapped tetragonal antiprismatic arrangement. In each sip^3– anion, two carboxylate groups take the same μ₁‐η¹:η¹ chelating coordination mode, only an oxygen atom of sulfonate group bond to Dy^III ion. The whole ligand sip^3– acts as a μ₃ bridge linking three different Dy^III ions to generate a wave‐like two‐dimensional network with (6,3) topological structure. The two‐dimensional networks are further linked by O–H ··· O hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional structure. The thermal and luminescent properties of both complexes are investigated.     

(Tetracycline)europium(III) Complex as Luminescent Probe for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection

Luminescence spectra of aqueous solutions containing a fixed concentration of tetracycline (TC) and increasing concentrations of Eu³⁺ were recorded both in the absence and presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In H₂O₂‐free solutions in which the Eu/TC molar ratio was varied from 1 : 1 to 8 : 1, the ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ transition consisted of only one peak at 580 nm. In the presence of H₂O₂, an extra peak appeared in the spectrum at 578 nm when the Eu/TC molar ratios were above 2.5. A detailed analysis of this spectral region revealed that at lower Eu/TC molar ratios (up to 2 : 1), the ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ transition experienced a slight blue shift. This indicates that at low Eu/TC molar ratios, the presence of H₂O₂ leads to two different environments of the trivalent europium ions, which most likely form bridged peroxide complexes with hydrogen peroxide (μ‐H₂O₂ ligand). Luminescence spectra measured in the presence of molybdate ions, which catalytically decompose H₂O₂, led to the disappearance of the extra europium(III) site that was formed in the presence of H₂O₂. The intensity of the hypersensitive ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition did not linearly depend on the H₂O₂/TC molar ratio. For H₂O₂/TC ratios up to 10, a sharp linear increase of the peak intensity was observed, but with further increase of the H₂O₂ concentration, the intensity remained nearly constant. For H₂O₂/TC ratios above 100, the intensity of this transition even started to decrease, which limits the use of the (tetracycline)europium(III) system to quantify hydrogen peroxide in solution.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Photophysical Properties of the Di‐ and Trinuclear Phosphine‐Diimine Complexes of Copper(I)

Reactions of [Cu(NCMe)₄]⁺ with stoichiometric amount of diphosphine R₂P–(C₆H₄)_n–PR₂, (R = NC₄H₄, n = 1; R = Ph, n = 1, 2, 3) or tri‐phosphine 1, 3, 5‐(PPh₂–C₆H₄–)₃–C₆H₃ ligands give the corresponding di‐ or trinuclear copper(I) acetonitrile‐phosphine complexes 1 – 5 . Substitution of the labile acetonitrile groups with chelating aromatic diimines – 2, 2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 1, 10‐phenanthroline (phen), 5, 6‐dimethyl‐1, 10‐phenanthroline (dmp), 5, 6‐dibromo‐1, 10‐phenanthroline (phenBr₂) – gives the corresponding substituted compounds 6 – 16 . In all complexes 1 – 16 each central Cu^I atom has tetrahedral configuration completed with two N‐ and two P‐donor groups. The compounds obtained were characterized using elemental analysis, ESI‐MS, X‐ray crystallography, and NMR spectroscopy. All phosphine‐diimine compounds 6 – 16 are photoluminescent at room temperature both in dichloromethane solution and in solid state (λ_ex = 385 nm). In CH₂Cl₂ solution the maxima of emission bands are found in a range 540–640 nm, and in solid in a similar range 538–620 nm. Emission of 6 – 16 is assigned to the triplet excited state dominated by the charge transfer transitions with contribution of the MLCT character.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Lanthanide Complexes with Pyrimidine‐2‐carboxylic Acid

Six lanthanide complexes [Ln(pmc)₂NO₃]_n [Hpmc = pyrimidine‐2‐carboxylic acid, Ln = La ( 1 ), Pr ( 2 )], [Ln(pmc)₂(H₂O)₃]NO₃ · H₂O [Ln = Eu ( 3 ), Tb ( 4 ) Dy ( 5 ), Er ( 6 )] were synthesized by the reactions of lanthanide nitrate and pyrimidine‐2‐carboxylic acid in water at room temperature. These complexes were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, IR, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra. Structure analysis shows that complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural with P4₃2₁2 space group, whereas isostructural complexes 3 – 6 belong to the P2₁/c space group. In complexes 1 and 2 , the central metal atoms are coordinated by nitrates and pmc^–, which are self‐assembled to construct a 3D porous network with 6₂.6₂.6₂.6₂.6₂.6₂ (6⁶) topology. In complexes 3 – 6 , H₂O and pmc^– ligands are coordinated and the complexes exhibit a one‐dimensional zigzag chain, which is further expanded into a 3D structure by hydrogen bonding. In addition, the circular dichroism of 1 and 2 proves that the two complexes are both chiral with achiral ligand of Hpmc. Luminescent measurements of compounds 3 – 5 indicate that the characteristic fluorescence of Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Dy³⁺ are observed.     

A Novel Route to Triphenylgermyl Europium Complexes. Crystal Structure of (Ph3Ge)2Eu(DME)3

(Ph₃Ge)₂Eu(THF)₄ ( 1 a ) and (Ph₃Ge)₂Eu(DME)₃ ( 1 b ) have been synthesized by reacting Ph₃GeH with europium naphthalene, C₁₀H₈Eu(THF)₂, in THF or DME, respectively. The reaction of Ph₃GeH with C₁₀H₈[EuI(DME)₂]₂ in DME yielded Ph₃GeEuI(DME)₂ ( 2 ). The addition of two equivalents of CH₃I to a solution of 1 b in THF produced Ph₃GeMe and EuI₂(DME)₂ with almost quantitative yields. Complex 2 easily disproportionates forming mixtures of 1 b and EuI₂(DME)₂. The molecular structure of 1 b was determined from X-ray diffraction data.     

Solvothermal Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Strong Luminescence of the First Organic‐Templated Europium Sulfate Chloride

The first organic amine templated europium sulfate chloride [C₆N₄H₂₂]_0.5Cl[Eu(SO₄)₂ · H₂O] ( 1 ) was synthesized solvothermally and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, TGA, and ICP. Crystal analyses of compound 1 shows a novel inorganic layer constructed from [–Eu–O–S–O–]_n chains. The adjacent chains are connected by sharing the bridging SO₄^2– groups to generate eight‐membered rings. The very strong luminescence in the red light region indicates compound 1 is an excellent candidate for red fluorescent materials.     

Two Isostructural Layered Lanthanide(III) Complexes: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic and Luminescent Properties

Two N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)pyridine N-oxide-carbohydrazide (H₃L)-based coordination complexes with the formula [Ln₂(DMF)₂(OAc)₂(HL)₂]_n (Ln = Dy for 1 and Eu for 2 ) were solvothermally synthesized. Crystal structures, thermal stabilities, magnetic and luminescent properties of the two complexes were fully investigated. Both complexes are isomorphic two-dimensional layers with centrosymmetric {Ln₂} subunits extended by doubly deprotonated HL^2– connectors. Complex 1 with highly anisotropic Dy^III spin exhibits slightly frequency-dependent magnetic relaxations under zero dc field with an effective energy barrier of ca. 6.84 K. Eu^III-based complex 2 displays only one weak fluorescent emission around 532 nm with the absence of characteristic emission of Eu^III ion. These results provide helpful hints of the hydrazide Schiff-functionalized organic ligands on the function modulations of the resulting Ln complexes.     

Formation of Novel Dinuclear Lanthanide Luminescent Samarium(III), Europium(III), and Terbium(III) Triple‐Stranded Helicates from a C2‐Symmetrical Pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide‐Based 1,3‐Xylenediyl‐Linked Ligand in MeCN

The synthesis of the C₂‐symmetrical ligand 1 consisting of two naphthalene units connected to two pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide moieties linked by a xylene spacer and the formation of Ln^III‐based (Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, and Lu) dimetallic helicates [Ln₂? 1 ₃] in MeCN by means of a metal‐directed synthesis is described. By analyzing the metal‐induced changes in the absorption and the fluorescence of 1 , the formation of the helicates, and the presence of a second species [Ln₂? 1 ₂] was confirmed by nonlinear‐regression analysis. While significant changes were observed in the photophysical properties of 1 , the most dramatic changes were observed in the metal‐centred lanthanide emissions, upon excitation of the naphthalene antennae. From the changes in the lanthanide emission, we were able to demonstrate that these helicates were formed in high yields (ca. 90% after the addition of 0.6 equiv. of Ln^III), with high binding constants, which matched well with that determined from the changes in the absorption spectra. The formation of the Lu^III helicate, [Lu₂? 1 ₃], was also investigated for comparison purposes, as we were unable to obtain accurate binding constants from the changes in the fluorescence emission upon formation of [Sm₂? 1 ₃], [Eu₂? 1 ₃], and [Tb₂? 1 ₃].     

Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes Based on N,N‐Bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine Ligand: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic,and Luminescent Properties

The reaction of the aryl‐oxide ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N‐bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine] with CuSO₄ · 5H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, CuBr₂, CdCl₂ · 2.5H₂O, and Cd(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O, respectively, under hydrothermal conditions gave the complexes [Cu(H₂L¹)₂] · SO₄ · 3CH₃OH ( 1 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Br₄] ( 3 ), [Cd₂(HL)₂Cl₂] ( 4 ), and [Cd₂(L)₂(CH₃COOH)₂] · H₂L ( 5 ), where H₂L¹ [H₂L¹ = 2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenol] and H₂L² [H₂L² = 2‐(2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenoxy)‐4, 6‐dimethylphenol] were derived from the solvothermal in situ metal/ligand reactions. These complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. A low‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement for the solid sample of 2 revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between two central copper(II) atoms. The emission property studies for complexes 4 and 5 indicated strong luminescence emission.     

Three Isostructural 4‐Sulfophthalate‐Based Lanthanide Complexes: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties

Three lanthanide complexes with the ligand 4‐sulfophthalate (sp^3–), [Ln(H₂O)₂(sp)]_n [Ln = Dy ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Er ( 3 )], were solvo‐/hydrothermally synthesized by changing the rare earth cations, and were characterized structurally and photophysically. Complexes 1 – 3 are isostructural, exhibiting a two‐dimensional layered structure with centrosymmetric dinuclear subunits infinitely extended by 4‐connected sp^3– connectors. Photoluminescence spectra of 1 – 3 demonstrate that anionic sp^3– ligand can serve as a functionalized chromophore to sensitize the luminescent emission of the lanthanide ion, suggesting that the sp^3–‐involved lanthanide complexes can be used as novel optical materials.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Europium Complexes that Switch on Luminescence in Lysosomes of Living Cells

A set of four luminescent Eu^III complexes bearing an extended aryl-alkynylpyridine chromophore has been studied, showing very different pH-dependent behaviour in their absorption and emission spectral response. For two complexes with pK_a values of 6.45 and 6.20 in protein-containing solution, the emission lifetime increases very significantly following protonation. By varying the gate time during signal acquisition, the ‘switch-on’ intensity ratio could be optimised, and enhancement factors of between 250 to 1330 were measured between pH 8 and 4. The best-behaved probe showed no significant emission dependence on the concentration of endogenous cations, reductants, and serum albumin. It was examined in live-cell imaging studies to monitor time-dependent lysosomal acidification, for which the increase in observed image brightness due to acidification was a factor of 50 in NIH-3T3 cells.     

Synthesis and Solid‐State,Solution, and Luminescence Properties of Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Neodymium(3+) Complexes Formed with Ligands Derived from Salophen

A series of free ligands, H₂ L ¹ , H₂ L ² , H₂ L ³ , and H₂ L ⁴ , designed for the coordination and sensitization of near‐infrared(NIR)‐emitting Nd³⁺ were synthesized by modifying the salophen Schiff base with different numbers and locations of Br‐substituents. The nature of the Nd³⁺ complexes in solution was determined to be [ML₂]^? by spectrophotometric titrations as an indication that the different substituents do not affect significantly the nature of the formed species. The structures were determined in the solid phase from X‐ray diffraction experiments. The stoichiometries and structures in the solid state are different from those observed in solution. We established that the structures in the solid state can be partially controlled by the crystallization conditions. The ligands L ¹ – L ⁴ have the ability to sensitize Nd³⁺ through intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand to the metal ion. We quantified that the numbers and locations of Br‐substituents control the emitted luminescence intensity of the complex by the heavy‐atom effect.     

Reactivity Towards Europium(III) of the Radiolysis Products of the Ionic Liquid 1‐Methyl‐3‐butyl‐1H‐imidazolium Bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide (C4‐mimTf2N) and Effect of Water: A TRLFS (Time‐Resolved Laser‐Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy) Preliminary Study

The effect of laser irradiation at λ_exc 266 nm onto the fluorescence characteristics of Eu^III in solution of the ionic liquid 1‐methyl‐3‐butyl‐1H‐imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide (C₄‐mimTf₂N) was examined for various amounts of H₂O added. Stable radiolytic products that were generated at very low doses (in the range of 4 kGy) were very reactive with Eu^III and led to the appearance of a new europium luminescent species that was characterized by lifetime, relative intensity, and emission spectrum. Although the lifetime and the intensity depended on the H₂O content, the emission spectrum was not influenced by H₂O. It was shown that large amounts of H₂O, although not preventing radiolysis of C₄‐mimTf₂N, inhibited the complexation with Eu^III.     

A New Tricarboxylate‐Terbium(III) Compound: Synthesis,Structure, and Luminescent Property

The Tb^III compound [Tb(tci)(H₂O)]_n · n(DMF) ( 1 ) [H₃tci = tri(2‐carboxythyl)isocyanurate, DMF = N,N′‐dimethylformamide] was synthesized by the reaction of terbium oxide, H₃tci, and two drops of concentrated nitric acid in the presence of DMF and H₂O. Single crystal X‐ray analysis reveals that it features a three‐dimensional (3D) framework based on infinite –Tb–COO–Tb– chains. The tci ligand in 1 links six different Tb^III ions with its two carboxylate groups in μ₂‐κ¹O;κ²O,O′ mode and the third in μ₂‐κ¹O;κ¹O′ mode. Thermal analysis reveals that it remains high thermal stability until 390 °C. Luminescence investigation shows that it emits characteristic green light of Tb^III ions.