Tunable white-light emission of lanthanide(III) hybrid material based on hectorite

Lanthanide(III) luminescent hybrid materials based on the layered hectorite have been successfully prepared, showing tunable emission colors as well as white light by varying the molar ratio between Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺.     

Sensitized near-infrared emission from ytterbium(III) via direct energy transfer from iridium(III) in a heterometallic neutral complex

A tetrametallic iridium-ytterbium complex has been synthesised that shows sensitized near-infrared emission (lambda(max) = 976 nm) upon excitation of the iridium unit in the visible region (400 nm) due to efficient energy transfer from the iridium units to the Yb(III) ion. The iridium phosphorescence is quenched nearly quantitatively while the ytterbium ion emits brightly in the NIR.     

Near-infrared emission from novel Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate)lanthanide(III) complexes-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15

A novel mesoporous material covalently bonded with 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) was synthesized (designated as Q-SBA-15). The 5-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline grafted to (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, that is, alkoxysilane modified 8-hydroxyquinoline (Q-Si), was used as one of the precursors for the preparation of the Q-SBA-15 material. On the basis of the other function of the Q-Si of coordinating to lanthanide (Ln) ions, for the first time, the LnQ 3 complexes (Ln = Er, Nd, Yb) have been covalently bonded to the SBA-15 materials. The derivative materials, denoted as LnQ 3-SBA-15, were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and fluorescence spectra. Upon excitation at the ligands absorption bands, all of these materials show the characteristic near-infrared (NIR) luminescence of the corresponding lanthanide ions through the intramolecular energy transfer from the ligands to the lanthanide ions. The NIR luminescence of these mesoporous materials was compared with that of the corresponding pure LnQ 3 complexes and discussed in detail.     

Homotrinuclear lanthanide(III) arrays: assembly of and conversion from mononuclear and dinuclear units

The reactions of potentially hexadentate H2bbpen (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine, H2L1), H2(Cl)bbpen (N,N'-bis(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, H2L2), and H2(Br)bbpen (N,N'-bis(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, H2L3) with Ln(III) ions in the presence of a base in methanol resulted in three types of complexes: neutral mononuclear ([LnL(NO3)]), monocationic dinuclear ([Ln2L2(NO3)]+), and monocationic trinuclear ([Ln3L2(X)n(CH3OH)]+), where X = bridging (CH3COO-) and bidentate ligands (NO3-, CH3COO-, ClO4-) and n is 4. The formation of a complex depends on the base (hydroxide or acetate) and the size of the respective Ln(III) ion. All complexes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses; in some cases, X-ray diffraction studies were also performed. The structures of the neutral mononuclear [Yb(L1)(NO3)], dinuclear [Pr2(L1)2(NO3)(H2O)]NO3.CH3OH and [Gd2(L1)2(NO3)]NO3.CH3OH.3H2O, and trinuclear [Gd3(L3)2(CH3COO)4(CH3OH)]ClO4.5CH3OH and [Sm3(L1)2(CH3COO)2(NO3)2(CH3OH)]NO3.CH3OH.3.65H2O were solved by X-ray crystallography. The [LnL(NO3)] or [Ln2L2(NO3)]+ complexes could be converted to [Ln3L2(X)n(CH3OH)]+ complexes by the addition of 1 equiv of a Ln(III) salt and 2-3 equiv of sodium acetate in methanol. The trinuclear complexes were found to be the most stable of the three types, which was evident from the presence of the intact monocationic high molecular weight parent peaks ([Ln3L2(X)n]+) in the mass spectra of all the trinuclear complexes and from the ease of conversion from the mononuclear or dinuclear to the trinuclear species. The incompatibility of the ligand denticity with the coordination requirements of the Ln(III) ions was proven to be a useful tool in the construction of multinuclear Ln(III) metal ion arrays.     

Ab initio prediction of the emission color in phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes for OLEDs

We performed fully first principles quantum mechanical calculations of the ground and excited state geometries and harmonic vibrational frequencies of two prototype cationic Ir(III) complexes showing high emission quantum efficiencies. Thanks to recent theoretical advances, we have been able for the first time to simulate their vibrationally resolved emission spectra. Our results, in good agreement with the experiment, allow us to calculate the CIE coordinates and therefore the emission color of this important class of emitters for OLEDs and LECs.     

Reversible modification of thiol-containing polypeptides with poly(ethylene glycol) through formation of mixed disulfide bonds

Papaya proteinase III (PPIII) was purified, as the S-methylthio derivative from the latex ofCarica papaya L., by ion-exchange chromatography. Separation of reactivable PPIII from the irreversibly oxidized molecular species of this enzyme was readily achieved after a selective conversion of the reactivated proteinase into the S-monomethoxypoly-(ethylene glycol) thio derivative (S-mPEG thio PPIII). From this derivative, a PPIII preparation titrating 1 mol of thiol/mol of enzyme was regenerated. From the physicochemical properties of S-mPEG thio PPIII that were investigated, it is concluded that interactions between the mPEG and the PPIII chains occur only to a limited extent. In addition to its usefulness for purifying thiol-containing enzymes, the mPEG modification resulting from mixed disulfide bond formation may find other practical applications.     

Reaction of lanthanide(II) and lanthanide(III) phenylethynyl cuprates with acetyl chloride

Praseodymium and ytterbium phenylethynyl cuprates [(PhC≡C)₃Cu]₃Pr₂(THF)₆ and {[(PhC≡C)₃Cu]·Yb(THF)₂}₂ react with acetyl chloride in tetrahydrofuran with elimination of phenylethynylcopper and formation of alkoxides [PhC≡C-CCl(CH₃)O] _n Ln (n = 3, Ln = Pr; n = 2, Ln = Yb). Then praseodymium alkoxide forms ester [methyl (phenylethynyl)chloromethylethanoate] and praseodymium chloride, alkoxy derivative. Itterbium alkoxide is oxidized to unsymmetrical dialkoxyitterbium chloride PhC≡C-CH(CH₃)-O-Yb(Cl)-O-CCl(CH₃)C≡CPh·2THF.     

Photo and electroluminescence of lanthanide(III) complexes

Major classes of coordination compounds used as electroluminescent materials are surveyed, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The strategy of the directed synthesis of lanthanide(III) complexes promising for use as electroluminescent materials is formulated. The results of studies dealing with the design of electroluminescent devices based on europium(III), terbium(III), and thulium(III) complexes are considered.     

Extraction behavior of Tm(III), Dy(III) and Sm(III) lanthanide with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxalamine

The extraction of Sm(III), Dy(III) and Tm(III) with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxalamine (BPHA) in benzene at pH range (1–10) has been studied. Quantitative separation was found in borate media at pH 8. The slope analysis showed that the extracted complex was M(BPHA)₃, where M=Sm(III), Dy(III) and Tm(III). The effect of various masking agents indicated that EDTA, oxalate, fluoride, phosphate and citrate, interfered in this study. Decontamination study showed that Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Sc(III) and Fe(III) had very poor separation factors, whereas Sn(II), Cd(II), In(III), Ru(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), Ta(V) and Hf(IV) had very large separation factor. The effect of different diluents showed that carbontetrachloride, chloroform, benzene, toluene, nitrobenzene dichloromethane, MIBK and cyclohexanone were equally good for extraction except TBP due to ion association.     

Synthesis of new polyoxapolycarboxylic ligands for lanthanide(III) ions complexation

The multidentate polyoxapolycarboxylic ligands 1 and 2 were obtained by a two-step synthesis from easily available chemicals. Preliminary data on their coordination properties are reported.     

Solvent extraction of trivalent lanthanide Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine

Extraction of Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) has been studied in the pH range of 1–10 with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) in benzene. The separation was found to be quantitative in borate media from pH 7 to 10, at an ionic strength of 0.1M (H⁺, BO₃ ^3–). The stoichiometric composition of the complexes under the optimal conditions of shaking time, pH and reagent concentration was formulated using slope analysis and found to be M(BPHA)₃, where M=Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III). The effect of various masking agents shows that citrate, ascorbate, EDTA, oxalate, fluoride and phosphate form stable complexes with these rare earths as compared to BPHA. The decontamination factors for different cations with respect to these rare earths under the optimum conditions have been evaluated.     

Studies on the interaction of iron(III) with tetraaza macrocycles

Tetraaza macrocycles and their Fe³⁺ complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r., n.m.r., and e.s.–m.s. spectroscopic techniques. The solution behaviour of the macrocycles and their complexes was studied by potentiometric titrations.     

Preparation of hybrid mesoporous silica luminescent nanoparticles with lanthanide(III) complexes and their exhibition of white emission

We chose dipicolinic acid as a tridentate chelating unit featuring ONO donors to react with lanthanide(III) ions to yield tight and protective N(3)O(6) environments around the lanthanide(III) ions. We immobilized the lanthanide(III)-dipicolinic acid complexes on colloidal mesoporous silica with diameter smaller than 100 nm by a covalent bond grafting technique and obtained nearly monodisperse luminescent Eu-dpa-Si and Tb-dpa-Si functionalized hybrid mesoporous silica nanomaterials. These hybrid nanomaterials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles exhibit intense emission lines upon UV-light irradiation, owing to the effective intramolecular energy transfer from the chromophore to the central lanthanide Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions. Furthermore, the functionalized nanomaterials can be turned to white light materials after annealing at high temperature.     

Target-responsive DNAzyme hydrogel for portable colorimetric detection of lanthanide(III) ions

Lanthanide elements (Ln) play an important role in industry and agriculture. As a result of the increasing consumption of lanthanides, environmental emission of Ln has become detrimental to the health of flora and fauna. Current methods for trace lanthanides detection mainly rely on sophisticated instruments. In this article, a Ln³⁺ dependent DNAzyme was incorporated into a hydrogel to generate Ln³⁺ sensitive DNAzyme hydrogel for portable colorimetric detection. The enzyme strand and its substrate strand act as crosslinker and functional unit of the hydrogel with polyacrylamide chains as the scaffold and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the indicator of hydrogel stability. Any ions in the Ln³⁺ series can trigger the cleavage of substrate strand by activating the enzyme strand, thereby decreasing the crosslink ratio and leading to collapse of the hydrogel. The release of the encapsulated AuNPs turns the supernatant wine red. Using this colorimetric method, Ln³⁺ can be detected with high sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 20 nM for Ce³⁺. The hydrogel responds specifically to any Ln³⁺ ion and works well with the spiked lake sample without the need of instruments and skilled operators. Our results suggest that the lanthanide responsive hydrogel can be used for portable and sensitive detection of Ln³⁺ contamination in the field.     

Mechanisms of sensitization of lanthanide(III)-based luminescence in transition metal/lanthanide and anthracene/lanthanide dyads

Four sets of dyads are discussed, in all of which near-infrared emitting lanthanide(III) ions such as Nd(III), Er(III) or Yb(III) are energy-acceptors which provide sensitized luminescence following energy-transfer from an antenna group. In three sets of dyads the antenna (energy-donor) group is a luminescent transition metal fragment; in the fourth the antenna is an anthracene group. A combination of photophysical studies and calculations has been used to understand the mechanisms by which energy-transfer to the lanthanide(III) ion occurs. Although definitive answers are not possible in every case due to the presence of several possible energy-transfer pathways, the relative contributions of Förster-type, Dexter-type and redox-mediated energy-transfer pathways have been analysed. Interesting results include (i) the demonstration of pure Dexter energy-transfer over 20 Å in a Ru(II)/Nd(III) dyad, and (ii) the demonstration of a redox-based mechanism for energy-transfer in anthracene/Ln(III) dyads in which the first step is photoinduced electron-transfer from the excited anthracene chromophore to a diimine ligand on the lanthanide(III) to generate a charge-separated state.     

Effects of large halides on the structures of lanthanide(III) and plutonium(III) borates

Reactions of LnBr(3) or LnOI with molten boric acid result in formation of Ln[B(5)O(8)(OH)(H(2)O)(2)Br] (Ln = La-Pr), Nd(4)[B(18)O(25)(OH)(13)Br(3)], or Ln[B(5)O(8)(OH)(H(2)O)(2)I] (Ln = La-Nd). Reaction of PuOI with molten boric acid yields Pu[B(7)O(11)(OH)(H(2)O)(2)I]. The Ln(III) and Pu(III) centers in these compounds are found as nine-coordinate hula-hoop or 10-coordinate capped triangular cupola geometries where there are six approximately coplanar oxygen donors provided by triangular holes in the polyborate sheets. The borate sheets are connected into three-dimensional networks by additional BO(3) triangles and/or BO(4) tetrahedra that are roughly perpendicular to the layers. The room-temperature absorption spectrum of single crystals of Pu[B(7)O(11)(OH)(H(2)O)(2)I] shows characteristic f-f transitions for Pu(III) that are essentially indistinguishable from Pu(III) in other compounds with alternative ligands and different coordination environments.     

The remarkable efficiency of N-heterocyclic carbenes in lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation

The capacity of NHC molecules to discriminate between trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions was revealed by competition reactions of analogous U(III) and Ce(III) compounds with C3Me4N2 and a comparison of the crystal structures of the corresponding carbene adducts.     

Noncovalent binding of sensitizers for lanthanide(III) luminescence in an EDTA-bis(beta-cyclodextrin) ligand

EDTA-linked beta-cyclodextrin dimer 3 was synthesized from EDTA bis(anhydride) 1 and mono(propylamino)-appended beta-cyclodextrin 2. p-tert-butylbenzoate 5, bound by the beta-cyclodextrin cavities of 3 with an association constant of 10(4) M(-1) in water, acts as a sensitizer for the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes of 3. Luminescence spectroscopy, microcalorimetry, and Gd(III)-induced NMR relaxation rate measurements prove that 3 forms a 1:2 complex with 5 and that one of the beta-cyclodextrin-bound sensitizers coordinates to the EDTA-encapsulated Ln(III) ion. The Eu(III) complex of 3 forms strong 1:1 complexes (K approximately 10(7) M(-1)) with bis(propylamido adamantyl)-functionalized biphenyl sensitizers 7 and 8 in water. Both beta-cyclodextrins of 3 are involved in the binding of these guests. The amide functionality adjacent to the biphenyl unit in 7 and 8 coordinates to the EDTA-encapsulated Ln(III) ion. For these biphenyl-based antennae both binding to beta-cyclodextrin and coordination to the Ln(III) center are crucial for efficient sensitization.