Near‐Infrared Luminescence Sensing of Glutamic Acid,Aspartic Acid,and Their Dipeptides with Tris(β‐diketonato)lanthanide Probes

A series of tris(β‐diketonato)lanthanides with Yb³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Nd³⁺ centers were characterized as luminescent sensing probes specific to glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and their dipeptides, which are important substrates involved in nervous systems, taste receptors, and other biological systems. In particular, tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8‐heptafluoro‐2,2‐dimethyloctane‐3,5‐dionato)ytterbium(III) exhibited a near‐infrared emission around 980 nm in response to these biological substrates. Near‐infrared‐emissive complexes have several advantages over common luminescent probes; therefore, the proposed lanthanide complexes have potential analytical applications in proteomics, metabolics, food science, astrobiology, and related technologies.     

Using Native Chemical Ligation for Site-Specific Synthesis of Hetero-bis-lanthanide Peptide Conjugates: Application to Ratiometric Visible or Near-Infrared Detection of Zn2+

The interest in ratiometric luminescent probes that detect and quantify a specific analyte is growing. Owing to their special luminescence properties, lanthanide(III) cations offer attractive opportunities for the design of dual-color ratiometric probes. Here, the design principle of hetero-bis-lanthanide peptide conjugates by using native chemical ligation is described for perfect control of the localization of each lanthanide cation within the molecule. Two zinc-responsive probes, r-LZF1^Tb|Cs124|Eu and r-LZF1^Eu|Cs124|Tb are described on the basis of a zinc finger peptide and two DOTA (DOTA=1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) complexes of terbium and europium. Both display dual-color ratiometric emission in response to the presence of Zn²⁺. By using a screening approach, anthracene was identified for the sensitization of the luminescence of two near-infrared-emitting lanthanides, Yb³⁺ and Nd³⁺. Thus, two novel zinc-responsive hetero-bis-lanthanide probes, r-LZF3^Yb|Anthra|Nd and r-LZF3^Nd|Anthra|Yb were assembled, the former offering a neat ratiometric response to Zn²⁺ with emission in the near-infrared around 1000 nm, which is unprecedented.     

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.     

Cooperative Sensitization Upconversion in Solution Dispersions of Co-Crystal Assemblies of Mononuclear Yb3+ and Eu3+ Complexes

Lanthanide upconversion luminescence in nanoparticles has prompted continuous breakthroughs in information storage, temperature sensing, and biomedical applications, among others. Achieving upconversion luminescence at the molecular scale is still a critical challenge in modern chemistry. In this work, we explored the upconversion luminescence of solution dispersions of co-crystals composed of discrete mononuclear Yb(DBM)₃Bpy and Eu(DBM)₃Bpy complexes (DBM: dibenzoylmethane, Bpy: 2,2′-bipyridine). The 613 nm emission of Eu³⁺ was observed under excitation of Yb³⁺ at 980 nm. From the series of molecular assemblies studied, the most intense luminescence was obtained for a 1 : 1 molar ratio of Yb³⁺ : Eu³⁺, resulting in a high quantum yield of 0.67 % at 2.1 W cm⁻². The structure and energy transfer mechanism of the assemblies were fully characterized. This is the first example of an Eu³⁺-based upconverting system composed of two discrete mononuclear lanthanide complexes present as co-crystals in non-deuterated solution.     

Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+) Hybrid Soft Gels of Double Functional Linker of Ionic Liquid–Modified Silane

Four kinds of luminescent hybrid soft gels have been assembled by introducing the lanthanide (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺) tetrakis β‐diketonate into the covalently bonded imidazolium‐based silica through electrostatic interactions. Here, the imidazolium‐based silica matrices are prepared from imidazolium‐derived organotriethoxysilanes by the sol–gel process, in which the imidazolium cations are strongly anchored within the silica matrices while anions can still be exchanged following application for functionalization of lanthanide complexes. The photoluminescence measurements indicated that these hybrid soft gels exhibit characteristic red and green luminescence originating from the corresponding ternary lanthanide ions (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺). Further investigation of photophysical properties reveals that these soft gels have inherited the outstanding luminescent properties from the lanthanide tetrakis β‐diketonate complexes such as strong luminescence intensities, long lifetimes and high luminescence quantum efficiencies.     

Complexes of 2,2′-bipyrimidine with some lanthanides

Complexes of the lanthanide ions, La³⁺, Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Ho³⁺ as well as that of Y³⁺ with the ligand 2,2′-bipyrimidine have been prepared and their physico-chemical properties studied.     

Lanthanide-Based Probes for Imaging Detection of Enzyme Activities by NIR Luminescence,T1- and ParaCEST MRI

Applying a single molecular probe to monitor enzymatic activities in multiple, complementary imaging modalities is highly desirable to ascertain detection and to avoid the complexity associated with the use of agents of different chemical entities. We demonstrate here the versatility of lanthanide (Ln³⁺) complexes with respect to their optical and magnetic properties and their potential for enzymatic detection in NIR luminescence, CEST and T1 MR imaging, controlled by the nature of the Ln³⁺ ion, while using a unique chelator. Based on X-ray structural, photophysical, and solution NMR investigations of a family of Ln³⁺ DO3A-pyridine model complexes, we could rationalize the luminescence (Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺), CEST (Yb³⁺) and relaxation (Gd³⁺) properties and their variations between carbamate and amine derivatives. This allowed the design of $$ probes which undergo enzyme-mediated changes detectable in NIR luminescence, CEST and T1-weighted MRI, respectively governed by variations in their absorption energy, in their exchanging proton pool and in their size, thus relaxation efficacy. We demonstrate that these properties can be exploited for the visualization of β-galactosidase activity in phantom samples by different imaging modalities: NIR optical imaging, CEST and T1-weighted MRI.     

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.     

DNA Intercalating Near-Infrared Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes Containing Dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,Stability, Luminescence Properties and CT-DNA Interaction

In order to create near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide complexes suitable for DNA-interaction, novel lanthanide dppz complexes with general formula [Ln(NO₃)₃(dppz)₂] (Ln = Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) were synthesized, characterized and their luminescence properties were investigated. In addition, analogous compounds with other lanthanide ions (Ln = Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺, Lu³⁺) were prepared. All complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complexes (Ln = La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺, Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, Lu³⁺) showed that the lanthanide’s first coordination sphere can be described as a bicapped dodecahedron, made up of two bidentate dppz ligands and three bidentate-coordinating nitrate anions. Efficient energy transfer was observed from the dppz ligand to the lanthanide ion (Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺), while relatively high luminescence lifetimes were detected for these complexes. In their excitation spectra, the maximum of the strong broad band is located at around 385 nm and this wavelength was further used for excitation of the chosen complexes. In their emission spectra, the following characteristic NIR emission peaks were observed: for a) Nd³⁺: ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 (870.8 nm), ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 (1052.7 nm) and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 (1334.5 nm); b) Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 (1529.0 nm) c) Yb³⁺: ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 (977.6 nm). While its low triplet energy level is ideally suited for efficient sensitization of Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺, the dppz ligand is considered not favorable as a sensitizer for most of the visible emitting lanthanide ions, due to its low-lying triplet level, which is too low for the accepting levels of most visible emitting lanthanides. Furthermore, the DNA intercalation ability of the [Nd(NO₃)₃(dppz)₂] complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy.     

A Direct Carbon-13 and Nitrogen-15 NMR Study of Praseodymium(III)- and Neodymium(III)-Isothiocyanate Complex Formation in Aqueous Solvent Mixtures

Multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies of the trivalent lanthanide complexes with isothiocyanate have been completed for the praseodymium(III) and neodymium(III) ions. In water–acetone–Freon mixtures, at temperatures low enough to slow ligand exchange, usually –85 to –125°C for isothiocyanate, separate carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 NMR signals can be observed for free anion and NCS^- in each metal–ion complex. For both metal ions, ¹⁵N NMR signals are observed for four complexes, displaced about +1500 ppm downfield from free NCS^- for Pr³⁺ and about +2000 ppm for Nd³⁺. In the ¹³C NMR spectra, only three peaks are observed for the complexes of both metal anions, with signal overlap obscuring the resonance for the fourth complex. However, the metal ion coordination numbers, obtained by integration of the resonance signals, are comparable in the ¹⁵N and ¹³C spectra, approaching a maximum value of about 3. These spectral data indicate the formation of Ln(NCS)²⁺ through Ln(NCS) ₄ ^1- occurs for both lanthanides in these solvent systems, a result also observed previously for Ce³⁺, Sm³⁺, and Eu³⁺ in our laboratory. Attempts to study these complexes in water–methanol were unsuccessful, due to the inability to achieve low enough temperatures to slow ligand exchange sufficiently. Results for NCS^- and Cl^- competitive-binding studies by ³⁵Cl NMR for both metal ions will also be described.     

Direct 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR Study of Lanthanum(III), Thulium(III), and Ytterbium(III) Complex Formation with Nitrate and Isothiocyanate

An ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR study has been completed for the complexes of La(III), Tm(III), and Yb(III) with nitrate and isothiocyanate in aqueous solvent mixtures. Signals for four complexes are observed for both the Tm³⁺–NO₃ ^– and Yb³⁺–NO₃ ^– solutions, with the species identified as the mono-, di-, tetra-, and either the penta - or hexanitrato. These results are consistent with those determined for the nitrate complexes of the Ce(III)–Eu(III) metal ions. The chemical shifts for the Tm(III) and Yb(III) nitrate complexes indicate a pseudocontact binding mechanism prevails. The complexes of diamagnetic La(III) with NO₃ ^– produce three signals in the ¹⁵NO₃ ^– spectra, with assignments paralleling those observed with the paramagnetic lanthanides. Three complexes are formed in the La³⁺–NCS^– solutions, with signals assigned to the mono-, di-, and triisothiocyanato species.     

Synthesis and trivalent lanthanide ion complexation studies of new macrocyclic receptors based lactam ionophores

This study is the first report on the design, synthesis and photophysical properties of three new macrocyclic receptors based receptors containing two amide bridges. Their binding properties towards trivalent lanthanide ions such as La³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were investigated by using spectroscopic techniques. With respect to emission intensity changes upon trivalent lanthanide ion complexation, macrocyclic receptors based lactam ionophores showed higher selectivity towards Yb³⁺ and/or Er³⁺ ion over other ions. Presence of proximal two amide groups in macrocyclic lactam receptors having different cavity size were observed to play an important role in exhibiting its lanthanide ion binding.     

Significant effect of lanthanide doping on the texture and properties of nanocrystalline mesoporous TiO2

A systematic study of microstructure and photocatalytic properties of lanthanide doping of nanocrystalline mesoporous titanium dioxide is performed. The anatase-to-rutile (A-R) phase transformation of nanosized TiO₂ was significantly inhibited by lanthanide doping and the inhibitory effect was enhanced with the increase of the rare earth radius, i.e., La³⁺>Gd³⁺>Yb³⁺ for different lanthanide dopants. At high calcination temperatures, different texture lanthanide titanium oxides of Ln₄Ti₉O₂₄ (La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺), Ln₂Ti₂O₇ (Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺), and Yb₂TiO₅ were developed, respectively, revealing that the structures of lanthanide titanium oxide developed in Ln/TiO₂ depend on the lanthanide radius. Larger radius lanthanides prefer to form higher coordination number lanthanide titanium oxide. In addition, the thermal stability of mesoporous structures of TiO₂ was remarkable improved by lanthanide doping. The photocatalytic properties were studied by employing the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RB) as a probe reaction. The results indicate that the lanthanide doping could bring about significant improvement to the photoreactivity of TiO₂, and the improvement was sensitive to the atomic electronic configuration.     

Adducts of lanthanide β-diketonates with 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine: Synthesis,structural characterization,and photoluminescence studies

Adducts of lanthanide β-diketonates of the general formula LnL₃(TPTZ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction [Ln = Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Er³⁺; L is the conjugate base of dibenzoylmethane (DBM), 1-benzoylacetone (BA), thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA), or 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (BTFA); TPTZ = 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine, a rigid Lewis base with a large π system]. The lanthanide ion in each of these complexes is nonacoordinate with six β-diketonate oxygen atoms and three TPTZ nitrogen atoms, forming a coordination polyhedron best describable as a monocapped square antiprism. Characteristic red, green, and near infrared luminescence was observed for the Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Er³⁺ complexes, respectively. All complexes showed significantly enhanced luminescence quantum yields when compared with the corresponding aqua analogues, with one of the Eu³⁺ complexes displaying a quantum yield of 69.7% in chloroform.     

Magnetism of metal-nitroxide compounds involving bis-chelating imidazole and benzimidazole substituted nitronyl nitroxide free radicals

Coordination compounds based on imidazole and benzimidazole substituted nitronyl nitroxide radicals with transition metal ions and trivalent lanthanide ions are described from the perspective of their magnetic properties.For the transition metal compounds the crystal structures show various metal-nitroxide dimensionalities including mononuclear (0D), one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) complexes. The mononuclear complexes were isolated with most metal ions of the first transition series. One copper(II) complex shows a copper(II)-radical ferromagnetic coupling (J = +75 cm⁻¹) while for the other mononuclear compounds, mainly with manganese(II), the metal-radical interactions are antiferromagnetic. The one-dimensional and two-dimensional complexes are manganese(II) compounds which show canting effects leading to weak ferromagnetism.For the trivalent lanthanide ions [La(III), Gd(III) and Eu(III)], three series of mononuclear complexes were obtained in which the metal center is bound to four, two or one nitroxide radicals depending on the counter ions and ancillary ligands. Unexpectedly, in most gadolinium(III) complexes, the Gd(III)-radical interactions were found to be antiferromagnetic in contradiction with other foundings and previous theoretical models. In support to the magnetic studies, the optical properties of the lantanide complexes have also been investigated and are briefly described.     

Lanthanide metal polymer complexes. Synthesis,characterization and application

Our recent results on the investigation of lanthanide metal polymer complexes were presented. Luminescence properties of Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺ -polycarboxylate complexes in aqueous solution were investigated. The excitation band near 300 nm for Tb or Eu(polyacrylate) solutions were drastically enhanced by the addition of hydroxy radical generating reagents as well as ultrasonic irradiation. These spectral changes were attributed to the energy transfer from chromophore molecules formed by generated hydroxy radicals in both systems. Since the increase in the luminescence intensity was proportional to the hydroxy radical concentration, the Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ (PAA) system can provide a convenient method for the determination of hydroxy radical concentration in aqueous solution. We have also utilized lanthanide metal ion complexes as a luminescent emitter in electroluminescence (EL) devices. The configuration of the EL cell and experimental results were discussed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanide Metal Ion Complexes of New Polydentate Hydrazone Schiff Base Ligand

The new homodinuclear complexes of the general formula [Ln₂L₃(NO₃)₃] (where HL is newly synthesized 2-((2-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-2-methylhydrazono)methyl)phenol and Ln = Sm³⁺ (1), Eu³⁺ (2), Tb³⁺ (3a, 3b), Dy³⁺ (4), Ho³⁺ (5), Er³⁺ (6), Tm³⁺ (7), Yb³⁺ (8)), have been synthesized from the lanthanide(III) nitrates with the polydentate hydrazone Schiff base ligand. The flexibility of this unsymmetrical Schiff base ligand containing N₂O binding moiety, attractive for lanthanide metal ions, allowed for a self-assembly of these complexes. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data (ESI-MS, IR, UV/Vis, luminescence) and by the X-ray structure determination of the single crystals, all of which appeared to be different solvents. The analytical data suggested 2:3 metal:ligand stoichiometry in these complexes, and this was further confirmed by the structural results. The metal cations are nine-coordinated, by nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms. The complexes are two-centered, with three oxygen atoms in bridging positions. There are two types of structures, differing by the sources of terminal (non-bridging) coordination centers (group A: two ligands, one nitro anion/one ligand, two nitro anions, group B: three ligands, three anions).     

Novel mixed ligand coordination compounds of some rare earth metal cations containing acesulfamato/N,N-diethylnicotinamide

The mixed ligand coordination compounds containing acesulfamato and N,N -diethylnicotinamide biomolecules of some rare earth metal cations (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ho³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺) were synthesized, and their structural properties were investigated. Possible structural formulas have been proposed by determining the chemical composition of molecules (elemental analysis), binding properties (infrared spectroscopy, mass analysis, solid-state UV-vis spectroscopy), thermal degradation properties (TGA / DTA curves). Based on the data collected, it is suggested that rare earth metal cations with a 3+ oxidation state have sextet coordination. The geometries of the structures were thought to be distorted octahedral. The charge balance of the coordination sphere is balanced by a monoanionic acesulfamato located outside the coordination sphere. When the thermal behaviours of the complexes were examined, it was determined that the compounds with Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Yb³⁺ metal cations contained one hydrate water outside the coordination sphere. Hydrate waters do not exist in the Ho³⁺ and Er³⁺ metal cation-centred complexes. At the end of the thermal decomposition analysis of all complex structures, it was determined that they leave the relevant metal oxides in the reaction vessels as final decomposition products.     

Development of a ratiometric time-resolved luminescence sensor for pH based on lanthanide complexes

Time-resolved luminescence bioassay technique using lanthanide complexes as luminescent probes/sensors has shown great utilities in clinical diagnostics and biotechnology discoveries. In this work, a novel terpyridine polyacid derivative that can form highly stable complexes with lanthanide ions in aqueous media, (4′-hydroxy-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine-6,6′′-diyl) bis(methylenenitrilo) tetrakis(acetic acid) (HTTA), was designed and synthesized for developing time-resolved luminescence pH sensors based on its Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ complexes. The luminescence characterization results reveal that the luminescence intensity of HTTA–Eu³⁺ is strongly dependent on the pH values in weakly acidic to neutral media (pK_a = 5.8, pH 4.8–7.5), while that of HTTA–Tb³⁺ is pH-independent. This unique luminescence response allows the mixture of HTTA–Eu³⁺ and HTTA–Tb³⁺ (the HTTA–Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ mixture) to be used as a ratiometric luminescence sensor for the time-resolved luminescence detection of pH with the intensity ratio of its Tb³⁺ emission at 540 nm to its Eu³⁺ emission at 610 nm, I_540 nm/I_610 nm, as a signal. Moreover, the UV absorption spectrum changes of the HTTA–Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ mixture at different pHs (pH 4.0–7.0) also display a ratiometric response to the pH changes with the ratio of absorbance at 290 nm to that at 325 nm, A_290 nm/A_325 nm, as a signal. This feature enables the HTTA–Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ mixture to have an additional function for the pH detection with the absorption spectrometry technique. For loading the complexes into the living cells, the acetoxymethyl ester of HTTA was synthesized and used for loading HTTA–Eu³⁺ and HTTA–Tb³⁺ into the cultured HeLa cells. The luminescence imaging results demonstrated the practical utility of the new sensor for the time-resolved luminescence cell imaging application.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.