Lanthanide directed self-assembly formations of Tb(III) and Eu(III) luminescent complexes from tryptophan based pyridyl amide ligands

The formation of self-assembly complexes between the ligands 1 (SS) and 2 (RR) and terbium or europium was undertaken and shown (using various spectroscopic titrations) to give rise to the exclusive formation of 2:1 (L:Ln) stoichiometry and not the anticipated 3:1 stoichiometry.     

Surface-based molecular self-assembly: Langmuir-Blodgett films of amphiphilic Ln(III) complexes

The unique photophysical properties of the Ln(III) series has led to significant research efforts being directed towards their application in sensors. However, for “real-life” applications, these sensors should ideally be immobilised onto surfaces without loss of function. The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique offers a promising method in which to achieve such immobilisation. This mini-review focuses on synthetic strategies for film formation, the effect that film formation has on the physical properties of the Ln(III) amphiphile, and concludes with examples of Ln(III) LB films being used as sensors.     

Delayed lanthanide luminescent Tb(III) complexes formed from lower rim amide functionalised calix[4]arenes

The synthesis and the photophysical studies of a new generation of time resolved luminescent systems based on calix[4]arenes alkylated at the lower rim, capable of hosting lanthanide (III) ions such as terbium and sensitising its emission, are described. Two series of ligands were designed to provide an ideal cavity to host terbium (Tb(III)) and were synthesised in high yields following two novel approaches. The tetra-alkylation, which was achieved in one step using with piperidino- and morpholino-acetamide pendant arms, provides eight donor atoms forming a binding ‘pocket’ at an ideal distance from the metal core to favour the sensitisation via the antenna effect. Of the two ligand series developed, compounds 3 and 4 possess a short spacer between the calix and the amide receptor site. The second series of ligands 6–7, designed with longer pendant amide arms, was synthesised from 2 in two steps through the ester analogue 5. The crystal structure of 3 (and 6 as shown in Supporting Information, available online) is presented. The synthesis and the photophysical studies of the four resulting complexes 3.Tb, 4.Tb, 6.Tb and 7.Tb are described in detail and in each case, successful sensitisation of the terbium emission occurred upon excitation of the phenolic scaffold of the calixarene.     

Anion dependent self-assembly of "tetra-decker" and "triple-decker"luminescent Tb(III) salen complexes

The Schiff base complexes [Tb3L4(H2O)2]Cl and [Tb3L3(OAc)2Cl] both have unusual multi-decker architectures formed via intramolecular pi-pi interactions between phenylene units.     

Columinescence effect in macromolecular complexes of Eu(III) and Tb(III)

The effect of Y(III) and Gd(III) coactivator ions on the intensity of Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence in monomer and polymer mixed-metal complexes was studied. Isomorphic replacement of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions by Y(III) and Gd(III) ions in macromolecular complexes led to sensitization of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ion luminescence. A mechanism of columinescence was suggested. It involves a charge transfer and the ligand orbitals and the vacant orbitals of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions and coactivators.     

Enhanced luminescent iridium(III) complexes bearing aryltriazole cyclometallated ligands

Herein we report the synthesis of 4-aryl-1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles (atl), made via "Click chemistry" and their incorporation as cyclometallating ligands into new heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes containing diimine (N(^)N) ancillary ligands 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dtBubpy). Depending on decoration, these complexes emit from the yellow to sky blue in acetonitrile (ACN) solution at room temperature (RT). Their emission energies are slightly blue-shifted and their photoluminescent quantum efficiencies are markedly higher (between 25 and 80%) than analogous (C(^)N)(2)Ir(N(^)N)(+) type complexes, where C(^)N is a decorated 2-phenylpyridinato ligand. This increased brilliance is in part due to the presence of the benzyl groups, which act to sterically shield the iridium metal center. X-ray crystallographic analyses of two of the atl complexes corroborate this assertion. Their electrochemistry is reversible, thus making these complexes amenable for inclusion in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs). A parallel computational investigation supports the experimental findings and demonstrates that for all complexes included in this study, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is located on both the aryl fragment of the atl ligands and the iridium metal while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is located essentially exclusively on the ancillary ligand.     

Luminescense properties of new complexes of Eu(III) and Tb(III) with heterotopic ligands

As a result of coordination between ligands L and L' and europium(III) and terbium(III) ions, the new architectures were formed. The formulae of the complexes have been assigned on the basis of the spectroscopic data in solution and microanalyses. The europium complexes show excellent luminescence properties with high quantum yield (1b-Eu(3)L(2)) and effective intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand to the Eu(III) ions.     

Nitro-functionalization and luminescence quantum yield of Eu(III) and Tb(III) benzoic acid complexes

In our pursuit of luminescent lanthanide ion-based coordination polymers, we have isolated several complexes with nitrobenzoic acid ligands and characterized these by X-ray crystallography and luminescence spectroscopy. 2-Nitrobenzoic acid reacts with Eu(III) to form 1, which crystallizes in the P-1 space group, with a = 12.385(3), b = 12.912(3), c = 17.889(4) A, alpha = 97.49(3), beta = 109.64(3) and gamma = 101.99(3) degrees . 3-Nitrobenzoic acid forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer with Eu(III), 2, which crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 9.7100(19), b = 10.579(2), c = 13.361(3) A, alpha = 77.41(3), beta = 88.78(3) and gamma = 88.16(3) degrees. Structures 3 and 4 correspond to the isostructural one-dimensional coordination polymers of Eu(III) and Tb(III), respectively, with the 4-nitrobenzoato anion. These crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 9.2242(18), b = 15.102(3), c = 18.587(4) A, alpha = 75.93(3), beta = 82.88(3) and gamma = 79.00(3) degrees for 3 and a = 9.2692(19), b = 15.369(3), c = 18.353(4) A, alpha = 75.37(3), beta = 81.32(3) and gamma = 78.15(3) degrees for 4. Potentiometry, absorption and NMR spectroscopy indicate that in solution only 1 : 1 species are present. All compounds are weakly luminescent as solids and the photophysics of solutions of ligands with Ln(III) in 1 : 1 stoichiometry were studied. Quantum yields around 1 and 3% for Eu(III)-and Tb(III)-containing methanolic solutions were measured.     

Multiple-decker phthalocyaninato Tb(III) single-molecule magnets and Y(III) complexes for next generation devices

A new magnetic relaxation phenomenon for an Ising dimer of a Tb-phthalocyaninato triple-decker SMM Tb₂(obPc)₃ (1) is reported. In Argand plots, the magnetic relaxation splits from a one-component system into a two-component system (temperature-independent and temperature-dependent regimes) in a dc magnetic field. There was clear evidence that the magnetic relaxation mechanisms for the Tb³⁺ dimer depended heavily on the temperature and the dc magnetic field. The relationships among the molecular structure, ligand field, ground state, and SMM properties in a direct current (dc) magnetic field are discussed. Furthermore, in order to investigate the stability of the complexes in vacuum evaporation (dry) process and the control of their surface morphology after transferring to a surface, we studied the lanthanoid-phthalocyaninato triple-decker molecule Y₂Pc₃ deposited on a Au(1 1 1) surface using a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. It is important to both understand and control the quantum properties of Ln-Pc multiple-decker SMMs with an external field and the monolayer or multi-layer structures on a substrate for next generation devices, such as magnetic information storage.     

Facile preparation and photophysics of near-infrared luminescent lanthanide(III) monoporphyrinate complexes

The synthesis, characterization, and single crystal X-ray diffraction structures of a series of monoporphyrinate, trivalent lanthanide complexes with the monoanionic ligands hydridotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) and (cyclopentadienyl)tris(diethylphosphinito)cobaltate (L(OEt)) having the general formulas M(TPP)(L) (M = Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Nd, Pr; TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate; L = Tp, L(OEt)) are described. The photophysical properties of these complexes are also presented including their absorption, emission, and transient absorption properties.     

Multinuclear NIR luminescent 1,4-BDC bridged Schiff-base complexes of Nd(III)

Solvent and reaction stoichiometry dictate the products isolated from reactions of the dinuclear precursor complex [ZnNdL(H₂O)(NO₃)₃] (H₂L = N,N′-bis(3-methoxy-salicylidene)ethylene-1,2-diamine) with the anionic multidentate linker 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (1,4-BDC). With a 2:1 molar ratio of ZnNd:Na₂1,4-BDC in CH₃CN–EtOH the tetranuclear complex [Zn₂Nd₂L₂(1,4-BDC)(NO₃)₄(EtOH)₂] · 2MeCN (1) is produced while hexanuclear [Zn₄Nd₂L₄(1,4-BDC)₂] · (NO₃)₂ · 2Et₂O · 4H₂O (2) can be isolated from a DMF–EtOH mixture. A 4:1 mole ratio in DMF–EtOH gave the unusual polynuclear complex [Zn₄Nd₂L₄(1,4-BDC)₂] · [ZnNdL(NO₃)₃(OAc)]₂ (3). The NIR photophysical properties of the new compounds are reported.     

Syntheses and photophysical properties of luminescent mono-cyclometalated gold(III) cis-dialkynyl complexes

A series of novel luminescent neutral cyclometalated gold(III) complexes of the type cis-[(N^C)Au(C≡CR)(2)] (R = aryl, silyl groups) having different cyclometalating cores (N^C) have been synthesized by CuI promoted halide to alkynyl metathesis with NEt(3) as in situ deprotonating agent. Along with spectroscopic characterizations (nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) and elemental analysis, the molecular structures of some of the complexes have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Photophysical studies reveal that the complexes exhibit room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Experimental observations and density functional theory calculations qualitatively suggest limited participation of the metal and alkynyl ligands in the lowest energy emitting state. The nature of the emission is mainly governed by metal-perturbed (3)IL(π-π*) transitions originating from the cyclometalate part of the molecule, and its variation readily leads to the tuning of the emission wavelengths. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of selected complexes showed irreversible redox behavior with near-equivalent cathodic peak potential (E(p,c)) assigned to the C^N core.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and luminescent properties of two new Ln(III)-dicarboxylate (Ln=Eu,Tb) complexes exhibiting three dimensional networks

Two new coordination polymers, {[Eu₂(L₁)₃(H₂O)₂]?·?H₂O} _n (1), (Cu(II)?···?Cu(II), [Tb(H₂O)]₂(L₂)₃?·?4H₂O (2) (H₂L₁?=?succinic acid, H₂L₂?=?glutaric acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, luminescence spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes are constructed by dicarboxylates bridging chains of edge-sharing EuO₈(H₂O) and TbO₈(H₂O) polyhedra to form 3D network structures. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit intense red and green photoluminescence upon UV excitation in the solid state at room temperature.     

Photochemical behavior of luminescent compositions based on antimony(III) and europium(III) complexes in high-pressure polyethylene

Luminescent and photochemical properties of polymer compositions based on the Eu(NO₃)₃(Phen)₂ complex and complexes of antimony(III) halides with diphenylguanidine are investigated. It is found that high-pressure polyethylene (HPPE) containing europium(III) and antimony(III) complexes in combination exhibits efficient transfer of electronic excitation energy from antimony(III) levels to europium(III) levels and photosensitization of europium(III) luminescence. It is shown that the europium(III) and antimony(III) complexes increase the stability of HPPE to UV radiation.     

Investigation of ion binding in ionic polysaccharide solutions using Tb(III) as a luminescent probe

The luminescence properties of a series of lanthanide-substituted ionic polysaccharides have been examined in an attempt to learn about the nature of interactions between the metalions and the polymers. Emission and excitation spectra were obtained for Tb(III) complexes with carboxymethyl cellulose, Sclerox S-1.0, alginate, polygalacturonic acid, amylose sulfate, dextran sulfate, and i-carrageenan. Studies of the chirality associated with the metal-ion binding sites were performed through the use of circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy. It was learned that the lanthanide ions could form complexes with polysaccharides in the electrostatic manner of polyelectrolytes, and that specific ligating groups could further influence the metal-ion binding characteristics.     

Octadentate cages of Tb(III) 2-hydroxyisophthalamides: a new standard for luminescent lanthanide labels

The synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of several Tb(III) complexes with octadentate, macrotricyclic ligands that feature a bicapped topology and 2-hydroxyisophthalamide (IAM) chelating units are reported. These Tb(III) complexes exhibit highly efficient emission (Φ(total) ≥ 50%), large extinction coefficients (ε(max) ≥ 20,000 M(-1) cm(-1)), and long luminescence lifetimes (τ(H(2)O) ≥ 2.45 ms) at dilute concentrations in standard biological buffers. The structure of the methyl-protected ligand was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and confirms the macrotricyclic structure of the parent ligand; the amide groups of the methyl-protected cage compound generate an anion binding cavity that complexes a chloride anion. Once the ligand is deprotected, a conformational change generates a similar cavity, formed by the phenolate and ortho amide oxygen groups that strongly bind lanthanide ions. The Tb(III) complexes thus formed display long-term stability, with little if any change in their spectral properties (including lifetime, quantum yield, and emission spectrum) over time or in different chemical environments. Procedures to prepare functionalized derivatives with terminal amine, carboxylate, and N-hydroxysuccinimide groups suitable for derivatization and protein bioconjugation have also been developed. These bifunctional ligands have been covalently attached to a number of different proteins, and the terbium complexes' exceptional photophysical properties are retained. These compounds establish a new aqueous stability and quantum yield standard for long-lifetime lanthanide reporters.     

New luminescent cyclometalated iridium(III) diimine complexes as biological labeling reagents

We report the synthesis, characterization, and photophysical and electrochemical properties of thirty luminescent cyclometalated iridium(III) diimine complexes [Ir(N-C)(2)(N-N)](PF(6)) (HN-C = 2-phenylpyridine, Hppy; 2-(4-methylphenyl)pyridine, Hmppy; 3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole, Hmppz; 7,8-benzoquinoline, Hbzq; 2-phenylquinoline, Hpq; N-N = 4-amino-2,2'-bipyridine, bpy-NH(2); 4-isothiocyanato-2,2'-bipyridine, bpy-ITC; 4-iodoacetamido-2,2'-bipyridine, bpy-IAA; 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline, phen-NH(2); 5-isothiocyanato-1,10-phenanthroline, phen-ITC; 5-iodoacetamido-1,10-phenanthroline, phen-IAA). The X-ray crystal structure of [Ir(mppz)(2)(bpy-NH(2))](PF(6)) has also been investigated. Upon irradiation, all the complexes display intense and long-lived luminescence under ambient conditions and in 77-K glass. On the basis of the photophysical and electrochemical data, the emission of most of these complexes is assigned to an excited state of predominantly triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) (dpi(Ir) --> pi(N-N)) character. In some cases, triplet intraligand ((3)IL) (pi --> pi)(N-N or N-C(-)) excited states have also been identified. In view of the specific reactivity of the isothiocyanate and iodoacetamide moieties toward the primary amine and sulfhydryl groups, respectively, we have labeled various biological molecules with a selection of these luminescent iridium(III) complexes. The photophysical properties of the luminescent conjugates have been investigated. In addition, a heterogeneous assay for digoxin has also been designed on the basis of the recognition of biotinylated anti-digoxin by avidin labeled with one of the luminescent iridium(III) complexes.     

Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence sensitized by thiophenyl-derivatized nitrobenzoato antennas

Thiophenyl-derivatized nitrobenzoic acid ligands have been evaluated as possible sensitizers of Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence. The resulting solution and solid-state species were isolated and characterized by luminescence spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The Eu(III) complex with 2-nitro-3-thiophen-3-yl-benzoic acid, 1, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 28.569(3) A, b = 17.7726(18) A, c = 17.7073(18) A, beta= 126.849(2) degrees, and V = 7194.6(13) A3. The Tb(III) complex with this ligand, 2, is isostructural, and its cell parameters are a = 29.755(6) A, b = 18.123(4) A, c = 19.519(4) A, beta= 130.35(3) degrees, and V = 8021(3) A3. Eu(III) crystallizes with 3-nitro-2-thiophen-3-yl-benzoic acid as a triclinic complex, 3, in the space group P1 with a = 11.045(2) A, b = 12.547(3) A, c = 15.500(3) A, alpha = 109.06(3)degrees, beta = 94.79(3) degrees, gamma = 107.72(3) degrees. and V = 1893.5(7) A3. With the ligand 5-nitro-2-thiophen-3-yl-benzoic acid, Eu(III) yields another molecular compound, 4, triclinic P1, with a = 10.649(2) A, b = 14.009(3) A, c = 15.205(3) A, alpha= 112.15(3) degrees, beta = 100.25(3) degrees, gamma = 106.96(3) degrees, and V = 1900.5(7) A3. All compounds dissolve in water and methanol, and the methanolic solutions are luminescent. The solution species have a metal ion-to-ligand ratio of 1:1. The quantum yields have been determined to be in the range of 0.9-3.1% for Eu(III) and 4.7-9.8% for Tb(III). The highest values of these correspond to the most intense luminescence reported for Ln(III) solutions with this type of sensitizer. The lifetimes of luminescence are in the range of 248.3-338.9 micros for Eu(III) and 208.6-724.9 micros for Tb(III). The stability constants are in the range of log 11 = 2.73-4.30 for Eu(III) and 3.34-4.18 for Tb(III) and, along with the energy migration pathways, are responsible for the reported efficiency of sensitization.     

Improvement of stability and luminescence properties in water of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes photosensitized by a bipyridine antenna

The convenient synthesis of a new macrocyclic octadentate chelate based on 2,2′-bipyridine chromophore and diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid core is described. In aqueous solutions, the corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) neutral complexes are kinetically inert and show very bright luminescence when excited with UV radiation (Φ=11 and 25% respectively). We also report the potentiality of these complexes to act as donors in delayed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (DEFRET).     

Synthesis of luminescent gold(I) and gold(III) complexes with a triphosphine ligand

We have synthesized and characterized a series of trinuclear gold(I) complexes [(AuX)(3)(mu-triphos)] (triphos = bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine; X = Cl 1, Br 2, I 3, C(6)F(5) 4) and di- and trinuclear gold(III) complexes [[Au(C(6)F(5))(3)](n)(mu-triphos)] (n = 2 (5), 3 (6)). The crystal structure of 6 [[Au(C(6)F(5))(3)](3)(mu-triphos)] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies, which show the triphosphine in a conformation resulting in very long gold-gold distances, probably associated with the steric requirements of the tris(pentafluorophenyl)gold(III) units. Complex 6 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P(-1) with a = 12.7746(16) A, b = 18.560(2) A, c = 21.750(3) A, alpha = 98.215(3) degrees, beta = 101.666(3) degrees, gamma = 96.640(3) degrees, and Z = 2. Chloride substitutions in complex 1 afford trinuclear gold(I) complexes [(AuX)(3)(mu-triphos)] (X = Fmes (1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) 7, p-SC(6)H(4)Me 8, SCN 9) and [Au(3)Cl(3)(-)(n)()(S(2)CNR(2))(n)(mu-triphos)] (R = Me, n = 3 (10), 2 (12), 1 (14); R = CH(2)Ph, n = 3 (11), 2 (13), 1 (15)). The luminescence properties of these complexes in the solid state have been studied; at low temperature most of them are luminescent, including the gold(III) derivative 6, with the intensity and the emission maxima being clearly influenced by the nature and the number of the ligands bonded to the gold centers.