Peculiarities of the excitation energy transfer in europium and terbium aromatic carboxylates and nitrate complexes with sulfoxides: Blocking effect

The influence of modification of the aromatic ligands on the excitation energy transfer to Ln³⁺ ions in europium and terbium carboxylates and nitrates was examined. The luminescence excitation spectra of three groups of the europium and terbium compounds: phenyl-, diphenyl-, triphenylacetates, phenoxyacetates and triphenylpropionates; 1- and 2-naphthylcarboxylates and 2-naphthoxyacetates; lanthanide nitrates with diarylsulfoxides (diphenyl- and dibenzylsulfoxides) and dialkylsulfoxides were investigated. The spectra of adducts of terbium phenylcarboxylates with 1,10-phenanthroline were also analyzed. The effect of the aliphatic bridges, which decouple the π–π- or p–π-conjugation in the ligand, on the energy transfer to Ln³⁺ ions (so-called blocking effect) was investigated. It was shown, that this decoupling leads to significant lowering of the energy of “ligand–metal ion” charge transfer states (LM CTS) in the europium carboxylate salts, just down to 27,800 cm⁻¹ in europium 2-naphthoxyacetate. As a consequence, the probability of the LM CTS participation in the excitation energy dissipation processes increases. A channel of the excitation energy dissipation in the region of 31,750 cm⁻¹ related to ligand electronic transitions was found in the europium and terbium nitrates with sulfoxides. It was demonstrated that a part of the energy absorbed by the aromatic ligand having aliphatic bridge can be emitted as the ligand fluorescence.     

Optical spectroscopy of europium 3,5-dinitrosalicylates—Intense red luminophores

It was found, that alkali metal-europium dinitrosalicylates of composition M₃Eu(3,5-NO₂-Sal)₃·nH₂O (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) are intense red luminophores with wide excitation band. Using methods of optical spectroscopy we studied the influence of nitrogroups and alkali metal counterions on Eu³⁺ luminescence efficiency and on processes of excitation energy transfer to Eu³⁺ ion in compounds synthesized. The Eu³⁺ luminescence and Eu³⁺ luminescence excitation spectra, as well as vibrational IR and Raman spectra were investigated. Details of the structure of compounds were discussed. The network of hydrogen bonds in lanthanide dinitrosalicylates is weakening at introduction of large alkali metal ions in compounds and at the increase of the temperature. As a consequence, the long-wavelength shift of the intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) band in Eu³⁺ excitation spectra arises at inclusion of Cs⁺ cations instead of Li⁺ in the crystal lattice of europium dinitrosalicylates and at heating of these compounds. To obtain the energy of the lowest excited triplet state the phosphorescence spectra of alkali metal-gadolinium compounds M₃Gd(3,5-NO₂-Sal)₃·nH₂O, of alkali metal dinitrosalicylate and salicylate salts were measured with time delay. Change of the energies of ligand electronic states and ligand–metal charge transfer state (LM CTS) can give a two-three orders of magnitude enhancement of the Eu³⁺ luminescence efficiency in dinitrosalicylates in comparison with salicylates and ten-fold enhancement at the substitution of Li⁺ and Na⁺ for Cs⁺ in dinitrosalicylates.     

Luminescent properties of europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes with para- and ortho-ethoxybenzoic acids

The luminescent properties of europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes with para- and ortho-ethoxybenzoic acids are studied. The excitation energies of the triplet states of ligands are determined, a hypothesis is made about the efficient luminescence of europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes, the geometry of the coordination polyhedron of a europium complex is established, and the luminescence quantum yields of the complexes in solution are determined.     

Assembly and Photophysics of Ternary Luminescent Lanthanide Molecular Complex Systems

In this paper, according to the molecular fragment principle, a series of eight ternary luminescent lanthanide complex systems were assembled, and whose compositions were determined with elemental analysis and infrared spectrum: Ln(MA)₃(L)·H₂O, where Ln = Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy; HMA = α‐methylacrylic acid; L = 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy). The photophysical properties of these functional molecular systems were studied with ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectrum, and fluorescence excitation and emission spectrum. It was found that the heterocylic compounds (phen and bipy) act as the main energy donor and luminescence sensitizer for their suitable energy match and effective energy transfer to the emission energy level of Ln³⁺ ions. MMA ligand was only used as the terminal structural ligand to influence the luminescence. Especially terbium complex systems show the strongest luminescence for the optimum energy match and transfer between phen (bipy) and Tb³⁺ ion.     

Innovative Multipodal Ligands Derived from Tröger's Bases for the Sensitization of Lanthanide(III) Luminescence

Herein, the synthesis and characterization of the first family of multipodal ligands with a Tröger's base framework designed for the preparation of luminescent lanthanide(III) complexes are reported. Eight ligands were designed and synthesized using different strategies, including alkylation reactions, amide couplings, and Ugi multicomponent reactions. All the ligands bear carboxylate groups for the coordination of the lanthanide(III) ions, with the lanthanide(III)-sensitizing units consisting of the Tröger's base framework itself or attached benzamides. Upon irradiation of the chromophoric ligands, green terbium(III) emission was efficiently generated, whereas europium(III) emission was negligible. The geometry and substitution pattern of the ligands allow control of the stoichiometry of the species formed and the Tb^III luminescence sensitization efficiency, showing that para-substitution patterns are more efficient than meta substitution for the formation of coordination compounds with lower Tb^III/ligand ratio. We propose that the species formed are self-assembled 2:2 or 2:4 metallosupramolecular structures.     

The Photophysical Properties of Quaternary Lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) Functional Molecular Complexes

Summary. In this paper, according to the molecular fragment principle, a series of twelve quaternary luminescent lanthanide complex molecular systems were assembled. Both elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy allowed to determine the complexes formula: Ln(Nic)₃(L)·H₂O, where Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy; HNic=pyridine-3-carboxylic acid; L=N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), pyrrolidone (pyro). The photophysical properties of these functional molecular systems were studied by recording both ultraviolet-visible absorption, phosphorescence, fluorescence excitation, and emission spectra. It was found that the conjugated pyridine-3-carboxylic acid acts as the main energy donor and luminescence sensitizer due to the suitable energy match and effective energy transfer to the luminescent Ln ³⁺ ions. Amide molecules (DMF, DMA, pyro) were only used as assistant structural ligands to enhance the luminescence. Especially the europium complexes show the strongest luminescence due to the optimum energy transfer between the HNic triplet state energy level and Eu³⁺.     

Mono- and Mixed Metal Complexes of Eu3+, Gd3+, and Tb3+ with a Diketone,Bearing Pyrazole Moiety and CHF2-Group: Structure,Color Tuning,and Kinetics of Energy Transfer between Lanthanide Ions

Three novel lanthanide complexes with the ligand 4,4-difluoro-1-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)butane-1,3-dione (HL), namely [LnL₃(H₂O)₂], Ln = Eu, Gd and Tb, were synthesized, and, according to single-crystal X-ray diffraction, are isostructural. The photoluminescent properties of these compounds, as well as of three series of mixed metal complexes [Eu_xTb_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Eu_xTb_1-xL₃), [EuxGd_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Eu_xGd_1-xL₃), and [Gd_xTb_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Gd_xTb_1-xL₃), were studied. The Eu_xTb_1-xL₃ complexes exhibit the simultaneous emission of both Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, and the luminescence color rapidly changes from green to red upon introducing even a small fraction of Eu³⁺. A detailed analysis of the luminescence decay made it possible to determine the observed radiative lifetimes of Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ and estimate the rate of excitation energy transfer between these ions. For this task, a simple approximation function was proposed. The values of the energy transfer rates determined independently from the luminescence decays of terbium(III) and europium(III) ions show a good correlation.     

Fluorescence properties of mixed-ligand europium carboxylates

Mixed-ligand binuclear and mononuclear europium carboxylate complexes with nitrogen-and phosphorus-containing neutral ligands have been studied by luminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The coordination of neutral ligands through the nitrogen donor atom leads to an increase in electron density at the Eu³⁺ atom. In groups of carboxylates of the same type, the coordination of neutral donor ligands leads to an increase in the relative intensity of the ⁵ D ₀-⁷ F ₄ electric dipole transition. Analysis of the luminescence excitation spectra points to the presence of two excitation energy transfer channels for mixed-ligand europium trifluoroacetate and toluate complexes and of one channel for europium cinnamate complexes with neutral ligands.     

Intramolecular energy transfer in actinide complexes of 6-methyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole (biz): comparison between Cm and Tb systems

Coordination of the 6-methyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole ligand with actinide and lanthanide species can produce enhanced emission due to increased efficiency of intramolecular energy transfer to metal centers. A comparison between the curium and terbium systems indicates that the position of the ligand's triplet state is critical for the enhanced emission. The energy gap between the ligand's triplet state and the acceptor level in curium is about 1000 cm⁻¹, as compared to a ~600 cm⁻¹ gap in the terbium system. Due to the larger gap, the back transfer with curium is reduced and the radiative yield is significantly higher. The quantum yield for this “sensitized” emission increases to 6.2%, compared to the 0.26% value attained for the metal centered excitation prior to ligand addition. In the terbium case, the smaller donor/acceptor gap enhances back transfer and the energy transfer is less efficient than with the curium system.     

Luminescent nanoparticles prepared by encapsulating lanthanide chelates to silica sphere

The luminescent nanoparticles were prepared by encapsulating the [LnL₄]^? (Ln = Eu, Tb; L = BTFA, HFAA, TTFA, TFAA) complexes anion into the silicon framework. We firstly synthesized a series of novel siloxy-bearing lanthanide complex precursor, and then encapsulated them into the silica sphere by a modified Stöber process. As a result, four europium and two terbium tetrakis β-diketonate complexes functionalized silica sphere nanoparticles were obtained and characterized in detail using Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, luminescence excitation and emission spectroscopy, luminescence lifetime measurements, and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy. The result shows that these luminescent nanoparticles maintain the distinctive luminescence character of lanthanide chelate including broad excitation spectra, line-like emission spectra, high quantum efficiency, and long luminescent lifetime, which makes them great potential application in the synthesis of luminescent nanoparticle.     

Synthesis and characterization of yttrium,europium, terbium and dysprosium complexes containing a novel type of triazolyl–oxazoline ligand

We report the synthesis of a novel type of bidentate chiral ligand which structurally derives from the association of a 1,2,3-triazole ring with a chiral oxazoline. Yttrium and lanthanide nitrato-complexes of the new triazolyl–oxazoline ligand were prepared and characterized. The coordination mode of the ligand was ascertained by means of DFT calculations. Trivalent europium and terbium derivatives resulted appreciably photoluminescent upon excitation with UV light, showing the typical ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J and ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J emissions, respectively. These species were successfully used for the preparation of luminescent-doped polymeric materials.     

Lanthanide-sensitized luminescence for the detection of tetracyclines

Organic chelates of lanthanide ions, priviously used to enhance the detection sensitivity of the ions, are now used for the sensitive detection of the ligands. When complexed with europium(III), tetracycline displays the broad-banded absorption characteristics of an organic ligand. The excited ligand undergoes intersystem crossing to a triplet state, and then transfers its energy to a 4f level within the europium(III) ion. the resulting narrow, line-like luminescence of the europium(III) ion has a peak intensity ten times greater than the peak intensity of the uncomplexed ligand. This lanthanide-sensitized luminescence technique is used to quantify tetracycline and two of its analogues. Detection limits are in the nanogram range. Experimental conditions are discussed.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes with a new aryl amide bifunctional bridging ligand

A new aryl amide type bifunctional bridging ligand 4,4'-bis{[(2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxyl]methyl}-1,1'-biphenyl (L) and its complexes with lanthanide ions (Ln=Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, conductivity measurements and thermal analysis. At the same time, the luminescence properties of the Eu and Tb complexes in acetone solutions were investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these two complexes exhibited characteristic emission of europium and terbium ions. And the lowest triplet state energy level T1 of this ligand matches better to the lowest resonance energy level of Tb(III) than to Eu(III) ion.     

Fluorescence Sensitization of Aqueous Terbium and Europium Ions Without Aromatic Donors or Synergistic Agents

Abstract

EDTA and DTPA complexes of terbium and europium are excited at wavelengths below 250 nm. producing the typical lanthanide emission through energy transfer from the complex to the coordinated metal. This allows determination of these rare earth ions in water without solvent extraction, the use of synergistic agents, or aromatic sensitizers. Terbium-EDTA has the most efficient energy transfer, 31%, giving a 165-fold emission enhancement and a limit of detection of 6 × 10^?7 M. Calibration curves are linear over a concentration range spanning three orders of magnitude. The characteristic lanthanide ion emission is obtained in all cases, but the excitation of the complexes is pH dependent, showing intensity increases up to pH 12. Mild interference by alkali and alkaline earth metals was overcome by increasing the ligand concentration, but transition metal interference was more severe. Only minor enhancement was observed at higher ligand/metal ratios.     

Distribution of luminescence excitation energy between Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions fixed in a perfluorosulfonic membrane

Ion-exchange modification of MF-4SK perfluorosulfonic membranes with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ cations was realized. The state of cations in the membrane was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Special features of the luminescence of the resulting systems point to preferential excitation energy transfer from europium to terbium.     

Water Stability and Luminescence of Lanthanide Complexes of Tripodal Ligands Derived from 1,4,7‐Triazacyclononane: Pyridinecarboxamide versus Pyridinecarboxylate Donors

A series of europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes of three 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐based pyridine containing ligands were synthesized. The three ligands differ from each other in the substitution of the pyridine pendant arm, namely they have a carboxylic acid, an ethylamide, or an ethyl ester substituent, i.e., these ligands are 6,6′,6″‐[1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1,4,7‐triyltris(methylene)]tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] (H₃tpatcn), ‐tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxamide] (tpatcnam), and ‐tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] triethyl ester (tpatcnes) respectively. The quantum yields of both the europium(III) and terbium(III) emission, upon ligand excitation, were highly dependent upon ligand substitution, with a ca. 50‐fold decrease for the carboxamide derivative in comparison to the picolinic acid (=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) based ligand. Detailed analysis of the radiative rate constants and the energy of the triplet states for the three ligand systems revealed a less efficient energy transfer for the carboxamide‐based systems. The stability of the three ligand systems in H₂O was investigated. Although hydrolysis of the ethyl ester occurred in H₂O for the [Ln(tpatcnes)](OTf)₃ complexes, the tripositive [Ln(tpatcnam)](OTf)₃ complexes and the neutral [Ln(tpatcn)] complexes showed high stability in H₂O which makes them suitable for application in biological media. The [Tb(tpatcn)] complex formed easily in H₂O and was thermodynamically stable at physiological pH (pTb 14.9), whereas the [Ln(tpatcnam)](OTf)₃ complexes showed a very high kinetic stability in H₂O, and once prepared in organic solvents, remained undissociated in H₂O.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of coordination polymers of terbium and europium with 1,4-bis-(4-methoxycarbonyl-3-hydroxyphenoxycarbonyl)butane

Physicochemical properties of new isostructural homo- and heteronuclear coordination polymers of terbium and europium with 1,4-bis-(4-methoxycarbonyl-3-hydroxyphenoxycarbonyl)butane (H₂L) differing in the composition have been studied. The Tb₂L₃·H₂O compound has exhibited efficient sensibilized green luminescence, whereas the corresponding europium-containing polymer EuL₃·H₂O has shown practically no luminescence due to mismatch of energies of the ligand triplet level and the Eu³⁺ ion emitting level. Heteronuclear terbium-europium polymers (Tb_1.5Eu_0.5L₃·H₂O, TbEuL₃·H₂O, and Tb_0.5Eu_1.5L₃·H₂O) show luminescence via the intramolecular transfer of the exiting energy from Tb³⁺ emitting level to Eu³⁺.     

Enhanced luminescence of the europium/terbium/thenoyltrifluoroacetone/1,10-phenanthroline/surfactant system,and its analytical application

The enhanced luminescence of europium in a thenoyltrifluoroacetone/1,10-phenanthroline/Triton X-100 system in the presence of terbium is studied. The sensitivity is increased by two orders of magnitude, giving a detection limit of 1 × 10^?13 M. The optimized procedure is applied to the determination of europium in lanthanide oxide samples.     

Effect of Aliphatic Chain Length in the Ligand on Photophysical Properties and Thin Films Morphology of the Europium Complexes

Chelating ligands based on polydentate diamides of 2,2'-bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid with a high affinity for lanthanide ions have been synthesized. The effect of the size of lipophilic aliphatic substituents in the ligand on the photophysical characteristics of europium complexes in acetonitrile solutions and in the solid state, as well as on the morphology of thin films obtained by the spin-coating method, was studied. The external and internal luminescence quantum yields have been measured, the luminescence lifetimes at 300 and 77 K were determined, and the sensitization efficiency values for europium complexes were calculated. The phosphorescence of gadolinium(III) complexes was used to determine the energy difference between the triplet level of the ligand and the resonance level of europium.     

Photophysical Properties of Sol–gel derived Luminescent Silicone Hybrids Synthesized via Facile Amino‐Ene Reaction

Novel luminescent silicone hybrids (LSHs) containing lanthanide ions were prepared via different sol–gel processes. The precursor, dimethyl ester‐functionalized silane, was synthesized via a facile amino‐ene reaction. The coordinated assembly of the ester ligands and lanthanide ions (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺) occurred. The ester ligands were immobilized onto the Si‐O network backbone during the preparation of the silicone hybrid materials. The particle size can be controlled to ca 50 nm by adjusting the solvent ratio. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), ¹³C NMR, ²⁸Si NMR, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high‐resolution scanning electronic microscopy and luminescent (excitation and emission) spectroscopy. The coordination state and photophysical performance of the compounds were studied in detail. The terbium‐ and europium‐containing materials show sharp green and red emissions, respectively, which indicate that efficient intramolecular energy transfer took place in these LSHs.