Multicolour Optical Coding from a Series of Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes with a Unique Antenna

The bis‐tetrazolate‐pyridine ligand H₂pytz sensitises efficiently the visible and/or near‐IR luminescence emission of ten lanthanide cations (Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). The Ln^III complexes present sizeable quantum yields in both domains with a single excitation source. The wide range of possible colour combinations in water, organic solvents and the solid state makes the complexes very attractive for labelling and encoding.     

Preparation, Characterization and Properties of Two New Lanthanide(III)-5-(2-pyridyl)tetrazolate Complexes

Two new mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes Ln(pytz)3(H2O)3·(H2O)3.5[Ln=Tb(1); Eu(2); Hpytz= 5-(2-pyridyl)tetrazole] were synthesized by reacting Hpytz with the corresponding lanthanide(III) ions and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural and the lanthanide(III) ions in both complexes 1 and 2 are nine-coordinated, with three oxygen atoms of three coordination water molecules and six nitrogen atoms of three pytz ligands, forming a monocapped square antiprism. Extensive hydrogen bonds exist, resulting in a three-dimensional supramolecular network structure by hydrogen-bonds in both complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 1 exhibits typical green fluorescence of Tb(III) ion and complex 2 red fluorescence of Eu(III) ion, in solid state at room temperature.     

A disymmetric terpyridine based ligand for the formation of luminescent di-aquo lanthanide complexes

The synthesis of ligand H3 based on a disymmetrically substituted terpyridine core functionalised by a carboxylic acid in the 6-position and a bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl function in the 6'-position is described. The coordination behaviour of this heptadentate (4N/3O) ligand with lanthanide cations (Ln=Eu, Gd and Tb) was studied in solution showing the formation of complexes with [Ln] stoichiometry. Complexes with general formula [Ln(H2O)2] were isolated from neutral water solutions containing equimolar amounts of cations and ligands, and the complexes were characterized in the solid state (elemental analysis, IR) and in solution (mass spectrometry). The photo-physical properties of the luminescent complexes of Eu and Tb were studied in water solution by means of absorption, steady state and time-resolved emission spectroscopies. Evolution of the luminescence lifetimes of the Eu and Tb complexes in H2O and D2O reveals the presence of two water molecules coordinated in the first coordination sphere of the cations. Despite this important hydration number, the overall luminescence quantum yields of the complexes remained elevated, especially in the case of Tb (Phi=22.0 and 6.5% respectively for Tb and Eu). Upon crystallisation the Gd complex formed dimeric species in which two gadolinium atoms are each heptacoordinated by one ligand, the coordination sphere being completed by a single water molecule and a bridging carboxylate function, pointing to different behaviours in the solid and liquid states.     

Synthesis, characterization of the luminescent lanthanide complexes with (Z)-4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid

(Z)-4-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid and its solid rare earth complexes LnL3.2H2O (Ln=La, Eu, Tb) were synthesized and characterized by means of MS, elemental analysis, FTIR, 13C NMR and TG-DTA. The IR and 13C NMR results show that the carboxylic groups in the complexes coordinated to the rare earth ions in the form of a bidentate ligand, but the ester carboxylic groups have not taken part in the coordination. The luminescence spectra of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes in solid state were also studied. The strong luminescence emitting peaks at 616nm for Eu(III) and 547nm for Tb(III) can be observed, which could be attributed to the ligand has an enhanced effect to the luminescence intensity of the Eu and Tb.     

Highly Luminescent and Thermally Stable Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Designed from 4-(Dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate: Efficient Energy Transfer from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) in a Mixed Lanthanide Coordination Compound

Herein, a new aromatic carboxylate ligand, namely, 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoic acid (HL), has been designed and employed for the construction of a series of lanthanide complexes (Eu(3+) = 1, Tb(3+) = 2, and Gd(3+) = 3). Complexes of 1 and 2 were structurally authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were found to exist as infinite 1D coordination polymers with the general formulas {[Eu(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (1) and {[Tb(L)(3)(H(2)O)].(H(2)O)}(n) (2). Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/c. The photophysical properties demonstrated that the developed 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate ligand is well suited for the sensitization of Tb(3+) emission (Φ(overall) = 64%) thanks to the favorable position of the triplet state ((3)ππ*) of the ligand [the energy difference between the triplet state of the ligand and the excited state of Tb(3+) (ΔE) = (3)ππ* - (5)D(4) = 3197 cm(-1)], as investigated in the Gd(3+) complex. On the other hand, the corresponding Eu(3+) complex shows weak luminescence efficiency (Φ(overall) = 7%) due to poor matching of the triplet state of the ligand with that of the emissive excited states of the metal ion (ΔE = (3)ππ* - (5)D(0) = 6447 cm(-1)). Furthermore, in the present work, a mixed lanthanide system featuring Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions with the general formula {[Eu(0.5)Tb(0.5)(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (4) was also synthesized, and the luminescent properties were evaluated and compared with those of the analogous single-lanthanide-ion systems (1 and 2). The lifetime measurements for 4 strongly support the premise that efficient energy transfer occurs between Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) in a mixed lanthanide system (η = 86%).     

Synthesis, characterization and luminescence property of N,N'-di(pyridine N-oxide-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide and corresponding lanthanide (III) complexes

A new ligand, N,N'-di(pyridine N-oxide-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (LH2) and its several lanthanide (III) complexes (La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Y) were synthesized and characterized in detail based on elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, IR, 1H NMR, MS (FAB) and UV spectra and TG-DTA studies. The results indicated that the composition of these binary complexes is [Ln(LH2)(NO3)2.H2O]NO3.nH2O (n=0-1); while the ligand has a good planar structure with strong hydrogen bonds. The fluorescence spectra exhibits that the Tb (III) complex and the Eu (III) complex display characteristic metal-centered fluorescence in solid state while ligand fluorescence is completely quenched. However, the Tb (III) complex displays more effective luminescence than the Eu (III) complex, which is attributed to especial effectivity in transferring energy from the lowest triplet energy level of the ligands (T) onto the excited state (5D4) of Tb (III) than that (5D1) of Eu (III).     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescence properties of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with novel pyrazole derivatives and 1,10-phenanthroline

Two novel pyrazole-derived ligands, 3-chloro-6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)picolinic acid (CDPA) and 3-chloro-6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-phenylpicolinamide (CDPP) were prepared by 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid (DCPA). Their complexes with terbium(III) and europium(III) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, ¹H NMR and TG–DTG. Furthermore, the above complexes using 1,10-phenanthroline as a secondary ligand were also synthesized and characterized. The luminescence properties of these complexes in solid state were investigated. The results suggested that Tb(III) complexes exhibit more efficient luminescence than Eu(III) complexes and the fluorescence of the complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline as a secondary ligand was prominently stronger than that of complexes without this ligand., and the three ligand (DCPA), (CDPP) and (CDPA) are excellent sensitizers to Eu(III) and Tb(III) ion.     

A water-soluble Pybox derivative and its highly luminescent lanthanide ion complexes

A new water-soluble Pybox ligand, 1, has been synthesized and found to crystallize in the monoclinic P2(1)/n space group with unit cell parameters a = 6.0936(1) ?, b = 20.5265(4) ?, c = 12.0548(2) ?, and β = 90.614(1)°. In the crystal, a water molecule is bound through hydrogen-bonding interactions to the nitrogen atoms of the oxazoline rings. This ligand was used to complex a variety of lanthanide ions, opening up new avenues for luminescence and catalysis in aqueous environment. These complexes are highly luminescent in aqueous solutions, in acetonitrile, and in the solid state. Aqueous quantum yields are high at 30.4% for Eu(III), 26.4% for Tb(III), 0.32% for Yb(III), and 0.11% for Nd(III). Er(III) did not luminesce in water, but an emission efficiency of 0.20% could be measured in D(2)O. Aqueous emission lifetimes were also determined for the visible emitting lanthanide ions and are 1.61 ms for Eu(III) and 1.78 ms for Tb(III). Comparing emission lifetimes in deuterated and nondeuterated water indicates that no water molecules are coordinated to the metal ion. Speciation studies show that three species form successively in solution and the log β values are 5.3, 9.6, and 13.8 for Eu(III) and 5.3, 9.2, and 12.7 for Tb(III) for 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 ligand to metal ratios, respectively.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of lanthanide nitrate complexes with a new amide-based quinoxaline-2,3-dione ligand

Solid complexes of lanthanide nitrate with 1,4-di(N,N-di-n-butyl-acetamido)-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (L), [Ln(N03)3L.H2O] (Ln=La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er), have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis spectra and conductivity measurements. The fluorescence property of the europium complex in solid state and in MeCN, acetone, AcOEt and THF was studied. Under the excitation, the europium complex exhibited characteristic emissions of europium. The result indicates that the triplet state energy level of the ligand matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) than Tb(III) ion.     

Lanthanide class of a trinuclear enantiopure helical architecture containing chiral ligands: synthesis, structure, and properties

The pinene-bipyridine carboxylic derivatives (+)- and (-)-HL, designed to form configurationally stable lanthanide complexes, proved their effectiveness as chiral building blocks for the synthesis of lanthanide-containing superstructures. Indeed a self-assembly process takes place with complete diastereoselectivity between the enantiomerically pure ligand L(-) and Ln(III) ions (La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er), thus leading to the quantitative formation of a trinuclear supramolecular architecture with the general formula [Ln(3)(L)(6)(mu(3)-OH)(H(2)O)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (abbreviated as tris(Ln[L](2))). This class of C(3)-symmetrical compounds was structurally characterized in the solid state and solution. Electrospray (ES) mass spectrometric and (1)H NMR spectroscopic analyses indicated that the trinuclear species are maintained in solution (CH(2)Cl(2)) and are stable in the investigated concentration range (10(-2)-10(-6) m). The photophysical properties of the ligand HL and its tris(Ln[L](2)) complexes were studied at room temperature and 77 K, thus demonstrating that the metal-centered luminescence is well sensitized both for the visible and near-IR emitters. The chiroptical properties of tris(Ln[L](2)) complexes were investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). A high CD activity is displayed in the region of pi-pi* transitions of bipyridine. CPL spectra of tris(Eu[(+)-L](2)) and tris(Tb[(+)-L](2)) present large dissymmetry factors g(em) for the sensitive transitions of Eu(III) ((5)D(0)-->(7)F(1), g(em)=-0.088) and Tb(III) ((5)D(4)-->(7)F(5), g(em)=-0.0806). The self-recognition capabilities of the system were tested in the presence of artificial enantiomeric mixtures of the ligand. (1)H NMR spectra identical to those of the enantiomerically pure complexes and investigations by CD spectroscopic analysis reveal an almost complete chiral self-recognition in the self-assembly process, thus leading to mixtures of homochiral trinuclear structures.     

Synthesis of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with novel pyridine dicarboxamide derivatives and their luminescence properties

A novel ligand, N2,N6-bis[2-(3-methylpyridyl)]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L2) and the corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) hydrochlorate complexes have been synthesized and characterized in detail based on elemental analysis, IR and NMR. The crystal and molecular structure of the complexes was determined by X-ray crystallography. The Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions were found to coordinate to the amido nitrogen atoms and pyridine nitrogen atoms. The luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes in solid state, in different solutions and in different pH value were investigated. The result shows that Tb(III) complexes exhibit more efficient luminescence than Eu(III) complexes, and the ligand (L2) is an excellent sensitizer to Tb(III) ion.     

Study of lanthanide complexes with salicylic acid by photoacoustic and fluorescence spectroscopy

Solid complexes Ln(Sal)3.H2O (Sal: salicylic acid; Ln: La3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+) are synthesized, and their photoacoustic (PA) spectra in the UV-Vis region have been recorded. PA intensities of central lanthanide ions are interpreted in terms of the probability of nonradiative transitions. It is found that PA intensity of the ligand increases in the order of Tb(Sal)3.H2O < La(Sal3).H2O < Eu(Sal)3.H2O < Nd(Sal)3.H2O. Different PA intensities of the ligand are interpreted by comparison with the fluorescence spectra. Ternary complexes Eu(Sal)3Phen and Tb(Sal)3Phen (Phen: 1,10-phenanthroline) are synthesized. Compared with their binary complexes, PA intensity of the ligand Sal decreases for Eu(Sal)3Phen, while the reverse is true for that of Tb(Sal)3Phen. The luminescence of Eu3+ increases remarkably when Phen is introduced, and luminescence of Tb3+ decreases greatly when Phen is added. The intramolecular energy transfer and relaxation processes in the complexes are discussed from two aspects: radiative and nonradiative relaxations.     

Luminescence tuning of imidazole-based lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy

To tune the lanthanide luminescence in related molecular structures, we synthesized and characterized a series of lanthanide complexes with imidazole-based ligands: two tripodal ligands, tris{[2-{(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (Me(3)L), and tris{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(3)L), and the dipodal ligand bis{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(2)L). The general formulas are [Ln(Me(3)L)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(3)·3H(2)O (Ln = 3+ lanthanide ion: Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), and Dy (5)), [Ln(H(3)L)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2)·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (6), Eu (7), Gd (8), Tb (9), and Dy (10)), and [Ln(H(2)L)(NO(3))(2)(MeOH)](NO(3))·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (11), Eu (12), Gd (13), Tb (14), and Dy (15)). Each lanthanide ion is 9-coordinate in the complexes with the Me(3)L and H(3)L ligands and 10-coordinate in the complexes with the H(2)L ligand, in which counter anion and solvent molecules are also coordinated. The complexes show a screw arrangement of ligands around the lanthanide ions, and their enantiomorphs form racemate crystals. Luminescence studies have been carried out on the solid and solution-state samples. The triplet energy levels of Me(3)L, H(3)L, and H(2)L are 21?000, 22?700, and 23?000 cm(-1), respectively, which were determined from the phosphorescence spectra of their Gd(3+) complexes. The Me(3)L ligand is an effective sensitizer for Sm(3+) and Eu(3+) ions. Efficient luminescence of Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Tb(3+), and Dy(3+) ions was observed in complexes with the H(3)L and H(2)L ligands. Ligand modification by changing imidazole groups alters their triplet energy, and results in different sensitizing ability towards lanthanide ions.     

Structural and photophysical properties of visible- and near-IR-emitting tris lanthanide(III) complexes formed with the enantiomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide

The enantiomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (L), namely, (R,R)-1, and (S,S)-1, react with Ln(III) ions to give stable [LnL(3)](3+) complexes in an anhydrous acetonitrile solution and in the solid state, as evidenced by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, NMR, luminescence titrations, and their X-ray crystal structures, respectively. All [LnL(3)](3+) complexes [Ln(III) = Eu, Gd, Tb, and Yb; L = (R,R)-1 and (S,S)-1] are isostructural and crystallize in the cubic space group I23. Although the small quantum yields of the Ln(III)-centered luminescence clearly point to the poor efficiency of the luminescence sensitization by the ligand and the intersystem crossing and ligand-to-metal energy transfers, the ligand triplet-excited-state energy seems relatively well suited to sensitize many Ln(III) ion's emission for instance, in the visible (Eu and Tb), near-IR (Nd and Yb), or both regions (Pr, Sm, Dy, Er, and Tm).     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of the lanthanide isothiocyanate complexes with an amide-type tripodal ligand

Solid complexes of lanthanide isothiocyanates with an amide-type tripodal ligand, 2,2',2'-nitrilotris-(N-phenylmethyl)-acetamide (L) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and molar conductivity measurements. At the same time, the luminescent properties of the Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III), Dy(III) isothiocyanate complexes in solid state and the Tb(III) complex in solvents were also investigated.     

Nonmacrocyclic luminescent lanthanide complexes stable in biological media

The synthesis of ligand L(P)H(8), based on a 2,6-bispyrazolyl-pyridine scaffold functionalized by iminobismethylenephosphonate functions, is described and its pK values were determined by a combination of pH-spectrophotometric titrations and potentiometry. The interaction of L(P) with Tb(3+) was investigated in water (0.01 M TRIS/HCl pH = 7.0) by means of UV-vis and fluorescence titration experiments and evidenced the formation of at least three species with 1:1; 1:2, and 2:1 M-L ratios, the 1:1 complex appearing as particularly stable under these conditions (log K(cond) > 8). Na(4)[LnL(P)H] complexes (Ln = Eu and Tb) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Their photophysical properties were investigated in aqueous solutions, revealing an excellent shielding of the Ln cations from the solvent environment (no water molecules in the first coordination sphere), very long luminescence lifetimes (τ(H(2)(O)) = 1.50 and 3.28 ms, respectively, for Eu and Tb) and reasonable luminescent quantum yields (?(H(2)(O)) = 2.4 and 37%, respectively, for Eu and Tb). Using fetal bovine serum as a model for biological media showed the Tb complex to remain luminescent in these conditions. The structure of the europium complex was studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) modeling, confirming the wrapping of the ligand around the cation, and the very good shielding of the coordinated Ln cation. The conditional stability constant for the formation of the Tb complex with L(P) was determined by competition experiments with EDTA and monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy (log K(TbL(P)cond) = 14.1 ± 0.3, 0.01 M TRIS/HCl, pH = 7.4) and was used to determine the thermodynamic constant (log K(TbL(P)) = 20.4 ± 0.4). A systematic comparison with ligand L(C), in which phosphonate functions are replaced by carboxylate ones, is made throughout the study, highlighting the large interest of the introduction of phosphonate moieties to obtain biologically stable luminescent lanthanide complexes.     

Thermally stable luminescent composites fabricated by confining rare earth complexes in the two-dimensional gallery of titania nanosheets and their photophysical properties

Fluorescent composite materials of exfoliated titania nanosheets, Ti(0.91)O(2), and rare earth (RE) complexes, Eu(phen)(2)Cl(3).2H(2)O and Tb(phen)(2)Cl(3).2H(2)O (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were synthesized via flocculation between them. X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy observations confirmed a restacked lamellar structure for the composites, and elemental analysis revealed a high RE complex content of 15 wt %. The decomposition temperature of the complexes trapped in the composites was improved to 420 degrees C from 250 degrees C for the free form. The restacked composite composed of Ti(0.91)O(2) nanosheets and Eu(phen)(2) exhibited characteristic red emission from the complex, while the composite with Tb(phen)(2) gave featureless emission originated from the ligand. This phenomenon can be explained by a shift of triplet state level of the ligand after encapsulation in the host titania nanosheets. The quantum yield of europium complex in the composite was enhanced 1.6 times more than that of the pure complex.     

Photoluminescent dinuclear lanthanide complexes with tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol acting as a new tetradentate bridging ligand

A tripodal ligand, tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol, affords a novel tetradentate coordination mode in homodinuclear lanthanide complexes, which exhibit remarkably short distances between metal ions. The strong luminescences of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with the ligand demonstrate that the ligand has a suitable excited state for energy transfer from the ligand to the Eu(III) and Tb(III) centers, respectively.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of rare earth picrate complexes with a new biphenylamide

The new ligand N-benzyl-2-{2'-[(benzyl-ethyl-carbamoyl)-methoxy]-biphenyl-2-yloxy}-N-ethyl-acetamide (L) and its complexes of rare earth picrates were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis spectra and conductivity measurements. The fluorescence properties of the europium complex in solid state and in CHCl(3), ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile and DMF were investigated. Under the excitation, the europium complex exhibited characteristic emissions of europium. The lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand indicates that the triplet state energy level of the ligand matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) than Tb(III) ion.     

Synthesis, infrared and fluorescence spectra of lanthanide complexes with a new amide-based 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative

A new amide-based 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative ligand 2,5-bis[2-(N,N-diethyl-1'-oxopropylamide)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L) and its complexes, Ln(NO3)3L (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er), were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and conductivity. The lanthanide ions were coordinated by O atoms from CO. The fluorescence properties of Eu(NO3)3L and Tb(NO3)3L in the solid state and in different solvents were investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these complexes exhibit characteristic fluorescence of europium and terbium ions. The solvent factors influencing the fluorescent intensity were discussed.