Anion receptor functions of lanthanide tris(beta-diketonate) complexes: naked eye detection and ion-selective electrode determination of Cl- anion

Lanthanide tris(fluorinated beta-diketonates) acted as effective receptors of Cl- anion in luminescence sensing and ion-selective electrode systems via highly coordinated complexation.     

Induced Circular‐Dichroism Chirality Probes for Selective Amino Acid Detection through Screening of a Dynamic Combinatorial Library of Lanthanide Complexes

A dynamic combinatorial library of lanthanide complexes was prepared to develop induced‐circular‐dichroism (CD) chirality probes. It totaled 168 combinations of coordinative N‐aromatic chromophores, trivalent lanthanide centers, and guest amino acids. Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ complexes prepared with quinolinecarboxylic acid were particularly effective as induced‐CD chirality probes for selective alanine detection, whereas a Yb³⁺ complex with terpyridine exhibited glutamine selectivity. The former two complexes highly preferred alanine to the corresponding amine, ester, amino alcohol, and carboxylic acid derivatives. As such, the present combinatorial screening of a dynamic lanthanide complex library has led to a new series of induced‐CD chirality probes for specific amino acids.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands: chirality effects on lanthanide complexation and luminescence properties

A series of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines including one and two asymmetric centers were synthesized in a stereo-controlled fashion as potential ligands of lanthanide cations. The reaction of chiral pyridylethyl methanesulfonates and bis(pyridylmethyl)amines occurred via an S(N)2 mechanism with complete inversion of asymmetric centers and gave the stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines, the stereochemical purity of which was ascertained by GPC, NMR, X-ray, and polarimetry experiments. They formed stable Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes having 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 stoichiometry (metal:ligand) in CH(3)CN solutions. NMR and UV titration experiments revealed that their complexation behaviors were rarely influenced by ligand chirality but significantly affected by the nature of the counteranion and the concentration ratio of metal to ligand. The Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes with these tripodal ligands exhibited characteristic luminescence spectra upon excitation for pyridine chromophores (260 nm), the intensities of which were largely dependent on the ligand chirality. The meso isomer of the disubstituted tripods particularly exhibited the enhanced terbium luminescence ca. three times more than its diastereomer and un- and monosubstituted tripods. Direct excitation at the lanthanide center had similar chirality effects on the luminescence profiles, indicating that the stereochemistry of the employed ligand largely influenced the lanthanide emitting processes. Since the ligand chirality finely modified the local coordination environments around the lanthanide center, the use of stereocontrolled ligands is applicable in design of the luminescent lanthanide complexes.     

Anion sensing with luminescent lanthanide complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines: pronounced effects of lanthanide center and ligand chirality on anion selectivity and sensitivity

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands exhibited anion-specific sensory functions, and their anion selectivity and response sensitivity were modulated by a combination of lanthanide center and chiral ligand.     

Auto-assembling of ditopic macrocyclic lanthanide chelates with transition-metal ions. Rigid multimetallic high relaxivity contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

PhenHDO3A is a ditopic ligand featuring a tetraazacyclododecane unit substituted by three acetate arms and one 6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline group (PhenHDO3A = rel-10-[(5R,6R)-5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-1,10-phenantholin-5-yl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid). This ligand was specially designed so as to obtain highly stable heteropolymetallic assemblies. PhenHDO3A has been prepared starting from phenanthroline epoxide and either a triprotected tetraazacyclododecane or tert-butyl triester of N,N',N' '-tetraazacyclododecane-triacetic acid. The latter yields PhenHDO3A in a single step. PhenHDO3A forms kinetically stable lanthanide complexes (acid-catalyzed kinetic constant kH = (1.2 +/- 0.2) x 10(-3) s(-1) M(-1)) whose solution structure has been deduced from a quantitative analysis of the paramagnetic shifts and the longitudinal relaxation times of the proton nuclei of YbPhenHDO3A. The alcohol group of the dihydro-phenanthroline unit remains coordinated to the encapsulated metal ion despite the steric crowding brought about by this group. Furthermore, the complexes are monohydrated, as shown by luminescence lifetime measurements on EuPhenHDO3A solutions. Relaxivity titrations at 20 MHz clearly indicate that the phenanthroline unit of GdPhenHDO3A is available for the spontaneous formation of highly stable tris complexes with the Fe2+ and Ni2+ ions. The water-exchange times and the rotational correlation times of GdPhenHDO3A and Fe(GdPhenHDO3A)32+ have been deduced from variable temperature 17O NMR studies and from nuclear relaxation dispersion curves. Despite rather slow water-exchange rates (taum0 = 1.0-1.2 x 10(-6) s), relaxivity gains of 90% have been observed upon the formation of the heterometallic tris complexes. The latter rotate about four times more slowly (taur0= 398 ps) than the monomeric unit (taur0 = 105 ps) and their relaxivity is, accordingly, twice as high. The relaxivity of the tris complexes between 10 and 50 MHz is comparable to relaxivities reported for Gd3+-containing dendrimers of much higher molecular weights. The high relaxivity of the tris-PhenHDO3A lanthanide complexes is attributed to their internal rigidity.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris(β -diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β -diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β -diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris( β-diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β-diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β-diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

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.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of lanthanide (Eu3+, Sm3+) complexes and their hectorite-based composites

The complexes of europium and samarium with phthalates ligands were synthesized and characterized. The luminescence behaviors of the lanthanide complexes as well as their hectorite-based composites were investigated by fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the lanthanide complexes showed slightly lower intensities in hectorite matrix than that of corresponding pure complexes. The lanthanide ion relative fluorescence intensity (LRFI) was enhanced when the lanthanide complexes were doped into hectorite.     

Unique carrier properties of neutral lanthanide complex for inorganic anions

Lipophilic lanthanide tris(fluorinated β-diketonates) exhibited interesting carrier properties for inorganic anions. Negative FABMS and ¹³C NMR studies revealed that they bound small Cl⁻ anion with a large hydration energy more strongly than large Br⁻ and I⁻ anions with small hydration energies. The direct anion coordination features of lanthanide complexes offered unique carrier properties for inorganic anions in liquid membrane transport.     

Fluorescent lanthanide chelates for biological systems

Certain lanthanide chelate complexes are known to emit strong fluorescence with very distinct physical properties that are different from those of organic fluorescent compounds: the fluorescence of lanthanide complexes is long-lived with the half decay-time of several hundreds microseconds to 2 ms. The complexes are excited by UV light and emit fluorescence in the visible region. The emission profile is very sharp and the wavelength is specific to each metal, for instance, Eu³⁺ complexes emit at 615 nm and Tb³⁺ at 545 nm regardless of the ligand. These properties show that the complexes can be excellent fluorescence labels for proteins and DNAs and, when time-resolved fluorometry is employed, provide highly sensitive detection methods in biotechnology. Among many labels we have developed, BHHCT-Eu³⁺ and BPTA-Tb³⁺ are suitable for immunoassay, DNA hybridization assay, and DNA chip technology. Homogeneous DNA hybridization assay systems using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence intercalators will be introduced.     

Cationic lanthanide complexes of neutral tripodal N,O ligands: enthalpy versus entropy-driven podate formation in water

The cationic lanthanide complexes of two neutral tripodal N,O ligands, tpa (tris[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine) and tpaam (tris[6-((2-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)pyridyl)methyl]amine) are studied in water. The analysis of the proton lanthanide induced NMR shifts indicate that there is no abrupt structural change in the middle of the rare-earth series. Unexpectedly, the formation constant values of the lanthanide podates of tpaam and tpa in D2O at 298 K are similar, suggesting that the addition of the three amide groups to the ligand tpa does not lead to any increase in stability of the lanthanide complexes of tpaam in respect to tpa, even though the amide groups are coordinated to the metal in aqueous solution. The measurement of the enthalpy and entropy changes of the complexation reactions shows that the two similar ligands tpa and tpaam have different driving forces for lanthanide complexation. Indeed, the formation of tpa podates benefits from an exothermic enthalpy change associated with a small entropy change, whereas the complexation reaction with tpaam is clearly entropy-driven though opposed by a positive enthalpy change. The hydration states of the europium complexes were measured by luminescence and show the coordination of 4-5 water ligands in [Eu(tpa)]3+ whereas there are only 2 in [Eu(tpaam)]3+. Therefore the heptadentate ligand tpaam releases the translational entropy of more water molecules than does the tetradentate ligand tpa.     

Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic studies of copolymer of styrene with 4-oxe-4(P-hydroxyl phenylamino) but-2-enoic acid and corresponding fluorescent macromolecular lanthanide(III) complexes

Copolymer of styrene with 4-oxe-4(P-hydroxyl phenylamino) but-2-enoic acid (PSHPEA) and its luminescent lanthanide complexes Ln-PSHPEA (Ln = La, Eu, Tb and Y) were synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis and fluorescence determination. The results showed that the carboxylic groups on the chain of the copolymer acted as bidentate ligands coordinated to lanthanide ions, but the amido carbonyl groups, amino N and hydroxy groups had not taken part in coordination; the coordination degree of -COO⁻/Ln³⁺ which determined the content of metal ions in the macromolecular complexes, was closely dependent on both the pH value of the solution and the molar ratio of St to 4-oxe-4(P-hydroxyl phenylamino) but-2-enoic acid in the polymer ligand. The fluorescence determination showed that the complexes exhibited characteristic fluorescence with comparatively high brightness and good mono-chromaticity. Typical relationship between emission intensity and Ln³⁺ ions content in macromolecular complexes exhibited some extent of fluorescence concentration quenching in our studies. The emission intensity of Tb-PSHPEA complexes was much stronger than that of Eu-PSHPEA complexes, which was attributed to especial effectivity in transferring energy from the lowest triplet energy level of the ligand onto the excited state (⁵D₀) of Tb³⁺ ion than that (⁵D₄) of Eu³⁺ ion.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes incorporating a hydralazine-derived chromophore

Reaction of 1-hydrazinophthalazine with chloroacetyl chloride yields 3-chloromethyl-1,2,4-triazolo-phthalazine. Reaction of this product with the tris tert-butyl ester of DO3A yields a triazolophthalazine appended macrocycle. Hydrolysis and complexation with lanthanide ions gives access to a series of lanthanide complexes (Ln = Nd, Eu, Yb, Er); these are all luminescent and exhibit sensitisation of the lanthanide centre by the chromophore.     

Group I cation templated formation of luminescent mono- and bis-substituted thionaphthol heterobimetallic complexes of Pr, Nd, Eu and Tb

Metathesis of lanthanide tris di-tert-butyl beta-diketonates ([Ln(thd)3] Ln=Pr, Nd, Eu, Tb) with one or two equivalents of group 1 salts of the sulfur bridged binaphtholate dianion [1,1'-S(2-OC10H4But(2)-3,6)2]2-, [M2L], M=K, Li affords luminescent mono- and bis-ligand substituted complexes ML[LnL(thd)2].L; M=K, Ln=Pr , Nd , Eu and Tb (L=thf, diethyl ether or toluene) and M(thf)2[LnL2(thd)]; M=Li, Ln=Pr , Nd , Eu , Tb . The potassium salt [K2L] affords mono-L substituted complexes most cleanly, while the lithium salt [Li2L] yields the bis-L substituted complexes most cleanly. The L ligands function as antenna for the sensitised lanthanide-centred emission in Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes. The X-ray single-crystal structures of mono- and bis-L lanthanide complexes of Nd3+ are presented.     

Enantiomeric differentiation of acyclic terpenes by 13C NMR spectroscopy using a chiral lanthanide shift reagent

The 13C NMR behaviour of ten acyclic terpene alcohols was examined in the presence of a chiral lanthanide shift reagent (CLSR). For each alcohol, we measured the lanthanide-induced shift (LIS) on the signals of the carbons and the splitting of some signals, which allowed the enantiomeric differentiation. As expected, the LIS decreased with the number of bonds between the binding function and the considered carbon. The enantiomeric splitting is observed for several signals in the spectrum of each compound. The influence of the hindrance of the binding function (primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol) and that of the stereochemistry of the double bonds is discussed.     

High cytotoxicity of dihalo-substituted 8-quinolinolato-lanthanides

Three new lanthanide complexes with dihalo-substituted 8-quinolinol: [Gd(BrQ)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·1.33EtOH·0.33H(2)O (1), [Dy(ClQ)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·1.33EtOH·0.33H(2)O (2), [Er(ClQ)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·1.33EtOH·0.33H(2)O (3) (H-BrQ = 5,7-dibromo-8-quinolinol, H-ClQ = 5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinol) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESI-MS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and TGA. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complexes 1-3 are mononuclear and isostructural. Each metal centre is coordinated by three dihalo-substituted 8-quinolinol and two aqua ligands. The in vitro cytotoxicity of dihalo-substituted 8-quinolinol and complexes 1-3 against liver cancer BEL7404 was evaluated. The IC(50) values of 1-3 to BEL7404 were 47.2 ± 2.6, 18.3 ± 1.0 and 31.5 ± 1.2 nM, respectively. The lanthanide complexes 1-3 exhibited significantly enhanced cytotoxicity vs. free substituted 8-quinolinol. The binding properties of dihalo-substituted 8-quinolinol and complexes 1 and 2 to DNA were investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence, CD spectroscopy and viscosity measurements, as well as agarose gel electrophoresis experiments. Both complexes 1 and 2 interact more strongly with DNA than the free quinolinol ligand. Intercalation is the most probable binding mode for both the complexes and the quinolinol ligands.     

Chiral tripode approach toward multiple anion sensing with lanthanide complexes

A chiral tripodal ligand was demonstrated to form a series of lanthanide complexes exhibiting multiple anion-sensing profiles, which incorporated a fluorescent quinoline and a stereo-controlled substituent in a tetradentate skeleton. This mainly gave 1:2 (lanthanide cation/ligand) complexes with lanthanide triflates but 1:1 complexes with lanthanide nitrates. Since addition of external guest anion dynamically changed the preferred stoichiometry, the chiral lanthanide complexes exhibited anion-responsive fluorescence, luminescence, and circular dichroism spectral characteristics as multiple anion-sensing probes.     

Remarkable tuning of the photophysical properties of bifunctional lanthanide tris(dipicolinates) and its consequence on the design of bioprobes

Derivatives of dipicolinic acid with a polyoxyethylene pendant arm at the pyridine 4-position have been functionalized for potential grafting with biological material. Four ligands with different terminal functions (alcohol, methoxy, phtalimide and amine) have been synthesized, which react with trivalent lanthanide ions Ln (III) to yield triple helical [Ln(L) 3] (3-) complexes, as shown by NMR and UV-vis titrations. The tris chelates display large thermodynamic stability with log beta 13 approximately 19-20 for all Eu (III) complexes for instance. Photophysical measurements reveal adequate sensitization of the metal-centered luminescence in the europium (eta sens = 33-72%) and terbium complexes, which is modulated by the nature of the terminal function. The lifetimes of the metal-centered excited states are long, up to 1.4 ms for [Eu(L) 3] (3-) and 1.6 ms for [Tb(L) 3] (3-) at room temperature, in line with hydration numbers essentially equal to zero. Quantum yields are as high as 29% for the [Eu( L ( NH2 )) 3] (3-) and 18% for the [Tb( L ( OH )) 3] (3-) tris chelates in water at physiological pH. These series of complexes demonstrate the extent of fine-tuning achievable for lanthanide luminescent probes and are simple models for investigating the effect of binding to biological molecules on the metal-centered luminescent properties.     

Decorating the lanthanide terminus of self-assembled heterodinuclear lanthanum(III)/gallium(III) helicates

Arylacylhydrazones of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde are appropriate ligands for the preparation of heterodinuclear triple-stranded helicates involving high coordinated lanthanide(III) ions. In the present study, three different kinds of substituents are introduced at the ligands in order to modify the organic periphery of the coordination compounds: (1) alkoxy groups are attached to the terminal phenyl groups, (2) NH protons of the hydrazones are substituted by phenyl moieties and (3) amino acid bearing units are attached to the terminus of the ligand. The new ligands nicely form the desired triple-stranded gallium(III)-lanthanum(III) complexes [(5a-c,7,12,15)(3)GaLa] of which the highly phenylated derivative was crystallized and studied by X-ray diffraction.