Azulene-moiety-based ligand for the efficient sensitization of four near-infrared luminescent lanthanide cations: Nd3+, Er3+, Tm3+, and Yb3+

The ML(4) complexes formed by reaction between the bidentate azulene-based ligand diethyl 2-hydroxyazulene-1,3-dicarboxylate (HAz) and several lanthanide cations (Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Gd(3+), Ho(3+), Er(3+), Tm(3+), Yb(3+), and Lu(3+)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR vibrational spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. Spectrophotometric titrations have revealed that four Az(-) ligands react with one lanthanide cation to form the ML(4) complex in solution. Studies of the luminescence properties of these ML(4) complexes demonstrated that Az(-) is an efficient sensitizer for four different near-infrared emitting lanthanide cations (Nd(3+), Er(3+), Tm(3+), and Yb(3+)); the resulting complexes have high quantum yield values in CH(3)CN. The near-infrared emission arising from Tm(3+) is especially interesting for biologic imaging and bioanalytical applications since biological systems have minimal interaction with photons at this wavelength. Hydration numbers, representing the number of water molecules bound to the lanthanide cations, were obtained through luminescence lifetime measurements and indicated that no molecules of water/solvent are bound to the lanthanide cation in the ML(4) complex in solution. The four coordinated ligands protect well the central luminescent lanthanide cation against non-radiative deactivation from solvent molecules.     

A disymmetric terpyridine based ligand for the formation of luminescent di-aquo lanthanide complexes

The synthesis of ligand H3 based on a disymmetrically substituted terpyridine core functionalised by a carboxylic acid in the 6-position and a bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl function in the 6'-position is described. The coordination behaviour of this heptadentate (4N/3O) ligand with lanthanide cations (Ln=Eu, Gd and Tb) was studied in solution showing the formation of complexes with [Ln] stoichiometry. Complexes with general formula [Ln(H2O)2] were isolated from neutral water solutions containing equimolar amounts of cations and ligands, and the complexes were characterized in the solid state (elemental analysis, IR) and in solution (mass spectrometry). The photo-physical properties of the luminescent complexes of Eu and Tb were studied in water solution by means of absorption, steady state and time-resolved emission spectroscopies. Evolution of the luminescence lifetimes of the Eu and Tb complexes in H2O and D2O reveals the presence of two water molecules coordinated in the first coordination sphere of the cations. Despite this important hydration number, the overall luminescence quantum yields of the complexes remained elevated, especially in the case of Tb (Phi=22.0 and 6.5% respectively for Tb and Eu). Upon crystallisation the Gd complex formed dimeric species in which two gadolinium atoms are each heptacoordinated by one ligand, the coordination sphere being completed by a single water molecule and a bridging carboxylate function, pointing to different behaviours in the solid and liquid states.     

Polymetallic lanthanide complexes with PAMAM-naphthalimide dendritic ligands: luminescent lanthanide complexes formed in solution

Generation 3 PAMAM dendrimers functionalized with 2,3-naphthalimide chromophoric groups on the end branches were synthesized, and the formation of Eu3+ polymetallic complexes was investigated. The luminescence properties of these complexes upon binding were fully characterized. On addition of Eu3+ to the dendrimer solution, lanthanide luminescence appears. The formation of a luminescent species corresponding to a dendrimer:lanthanide ratio of 1:8 was determined by luminescence batch titration and indicated by the maximum of Eu3+ emission. This indicates an overall average coordination number of 7.5 around each lanthanide metal cation. This is the first report of such characterization in the literature. Luminescence lifetimes indicate that the metal cation is well protected from nonradiative deactivation by the dendritic structure. Despite the limited efficiency of the sensitization of Eu3+, the absolute quantum yield being 0.0006, the good protection of the eight lanthanide cations bound in the dendrimer structure and the high absorptivity leads to the red emission from Eu3+ that is easily observed in solution under irradiation with 354 nm UV light.     

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.     

Near-infrared photoluminescence of lanthanide complexes containing the hemicyanine chromophore

The near-infrared luminescence properties of three (E)-N-hexadecyl-N′,N′-dimethylamino-stilbazolium tetrakis(1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolonato) lanthanide(III) complexes are described. These three complexes, containing trivalent neodymium, erbium and ytterbium, respectively, show near-infrared luminescence in acetonitrile solution upon UV irradiation. Luminescence decay times have been measured. The complexes consist of a positively charged hemicyanine chromophore with a long alkyl chain and a tetrakis(pyrazolonato) lanthanide(III) anion. Because of the absence of an -hydrogen atom in the pyrazolonato ligands, and because of the saturation of the coordination sphere by four bidentate ligands, the luminescence properties are enhanced when compared to, e.g. quinolinate complexes.     

Long-lived near-infrared luminescent lanthanide complexes of imidodiphosphinate "shell" ligands

Near-infrared emitting complexes of Nd(III), Er(III), and Yb(III) based on hexacoordinate lanthanide ions with an aryl functionalized imidodiphosphinate ligand, tpip, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Three tpip ligands form a shell around the lanthanide with the ligand coordinating via the two oxygens leading to neutral complexes, Ln(tpip)3. In the X-ray crystal structures of Er(III) and Nd(III) complexes there is evidence of CH-pi interactions between the phenyl groups. Photophysical investigations of solution samples of the complexes demonstrate that all complexes exhibit relatively long luminescence lifetimes in nondeuteurated solvents. Luminescence studies of powder samples have also been recorded for examination of the properties of NIR complexes in the solid state for potential material applications. The results underline the effective shielding of the lanthanide by the twelve phenyl groups of the tpip ligands and the reduction of high-energy vibrations in close proximity to the lanthanide, both features important in the design of NIR emitting lanthanide complexes.     

Lanthanide-based coordination polymers assembled from derivatives of 3,5-dihydroxy benzoates: syntheses, crystal structures, and photophysical properties

Two new aromatic carboxylic acids, namely, 3,5-bis(benzyloxy)benzoic acid (HL1) and 3,5-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethoxy)benzoic acid (HL2), have been prepared by replacing the hydroxyl hydrogens of 3,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid with benzyl and pyridyl moieties, respectively. The anions derived from HL1 and HL2 have been used for the support of a series of lanthanide coordination compounds [Eu(3+) = 1-2; Tb(3+) = 3-4; Gd(3+) = 5-6]. The new lanthanide complexes have been characterized on the basis of a variety of spectroscopic techniques in conjunction with an assessment of their photophysical properties. Lanthanide complexes 2, 4, and 6, which were synthesized from 3,5-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethoxy)benzoic acid, were structurally authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three complexes were found to exist as infinite one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymers with the general formula {[Ln(L2)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·xH(2)O}(n). Scrutiny of the packing diagrams for 2, 4, and 6 revealed the existence of interesting two-dimensional molecular arrays held together by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. Furthermore, the coordinated benzoate ligands serve as efficient light harvesting chromophores. In the cases of 1-4, the lowest energy maxima fall in the range 280-340 nm [molar absorption coefficient (ε) = (0.39-1.01) × 10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)]. Moreover, the Tb(3+) complexes 3 and 4 exhibit bright green luminescence efficiencies in the solid state (Φ(overall) = 60% for 3; 27% for 4) and possess longer excited state lifetimes than the other complexes (τ = 1.16 ms for 3; 1.38 ms for 4). In contrast to the foregoing, the Eu(3+) complexes 1 and 2 feature poor luminescence efficiencies.     

Novel antennae for the sensitization of near infrared luminescent lanthanide cations

Near Infrared (NIR) luminescence is useful for many applications ranging from lasers, telecommunication to biological imaging. We have a special interest for applications in biological media since NIR photons have less interference with such samples. NIR photons can penetrate relatively deeply in tissues and cause less damage to biological samples. The use of NIR luminescence also results in improved detection sensitivity due to low background emission. The lower scattering of NIR photons results in improved image resolution. NIR emitting lanthanide compounds are promising for imaging because of their unique properties such as sharp emission bands, long luminescence lifetimes and photostability. Here, we review our efforts to develop novel sensitizers for NIR emitting lanthanides. We have employed two global strategies: (1) monometallic lanthanide complexes based on derivatives of salophen, tropolonate, azulene and pyridine; and (2) polymetallic lanthanide compounds based on nanocrystals, metal-organic frameworks and dendrimers complexes.     

水溶液中甘氨酰-缬氨酸与稀土配位作用及其配合物构象的NMR研究

本文测定了在三种不同稀土离子(镧La^3^+、钬Ho^3^+和镱Yb^3^+)的水溶液中甘氨酰-缬氨酸的^1H的^1^3C稀土诱导位移。计算了Ho、Yb与甘氨酰-缬氨酸配合物的稳定常数, 讨论了稀土与该配体的配位作用及对配合物构象进行了研究, 发现配位后的甘氨酰-缬氨酸以一种空间位阻较小的伸展构象存在。     

Lanthanide nitrate complexes of tri-isobutylphosphine oxide: solid state and CD2Cl2 solution structures

The complexes Ln(NO(3))(3)L(3) between Ln(NO(3))(3) and (i)Bu(3)PO (=L) have been prepared for Ln = La-Lu (excluding Pm). The isolated complexes have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The single crystal X-ray structures have been determined for representative complexes across the series Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb and show the coordination geometry around the metal to be the same with 9-coordinate lanthanide ions and bidentate nitrates. Subtle changes in the coordination of the nitrate ligand occur from Sm onward. Changes in the infrared spectra correlate well with changes in the X-ray structures. Solution properties have been examined by variable temperature multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (15)N, and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy in CD(2)Cl(2). The spectra of complexes of the early lanthanides are consistent with the presence of a single species in solution while those of the heavier lanthanides show that more than one complex is present in solution and that two inequivalent phosphorus environments are observable at low temperature. The fluxional behavior is lanthanide dependent with smaller ions giving static structures at higher temperature. Complexes with tricyclohexylphosphine oxide show that the dynamic NMR behavior is also related to the size of the ligand. Analysis of the lanthanide induced shifts indicates minor changes in solution structure occur from Sm onward which correlate well with the solid state structures.     

Lanthanide(III) 2-naphthoxide complexes stabilized by interligand non-covalent interactions

Lithium-lanthanide-2-naphthoxide complexes are found to have solvent dependent solution structures and related monomeric/dimeric solid state structures. The incorporation of tetramethylguanidium cations into lanthanide 2-naphthoxide complexes stabilizes a complex structure both in solution and the solid state through bridging hydrogen bonds between the 2-naphthoxide ligands.     

Comparison of covalency in the complexes of trivalent actinide and lanthanide cations

The complexes of trivalent actinide (Am(III) and Cm(III)) and lanthanide (Nd(III) and Sm(III)) cations with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid, bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid, and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid in n-dodecane have been studied by visible absorption spectroscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements in order to understand the chemical interactions responsible for the great selectivity the dithiophosphinate ligand exhibits for trivalent actinide cations in liquid-liquid extraction. Under the conditions studied, each type of ligand displays a different coordination mode with trivalent f-element cations. The phosphinate ligand coordinates as hydrogen-bonded dimers, forming M(HL2)3. Both the oxygen and the sulfur donor of the monothiophosphinate ligand can bind the cations, affording both bidentate and monodentate ligands. The dithiophosphinate ligand forms neutral bidentate complexes, ML3, with no discernible nitrate or water molecules in the inner coordination sphere. Comparison of the Cm(III), Nd(III), and Sm(III) XAFS shows that the structure and metal-donor atom bond distances are indistinguishable within experimental error for similarly sized trivalent lanthanide and actinide cations, despite the selectivity of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid for trivalent actinide cations over trivalent lanthanide cations.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of lanthanide(III) nitrate complexes of a tetraiminodiphenol macrocycle in the solid state and in solution

The lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(LH2)(NO3)3] 1-11(La-Er), 15(Y) and [Ln(LH2)(NO3)2(H2O)](NO3) 12-14 (Tm-Lu) of the tetraiminodiphenolate macrocycle L2- have been prepared by the transmetallation reaction between [Pb(LH2)(NO3)2] and Ln(NO3)3.nH2O. In these compounds, the uncoordinated imino nitrogens are protonated and are hydrogen bonded to the phenolate oxygens. The X-ray crystal structures of the La (1), Ho (10) and Lu (14) compounds have been determined. Compounds 1 and 10, in which all the three nitrates are bound in bidentate fashion, are isostructural with distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry for the metal centre. In [Lu(LH2)(NO3)2(H2O)](NO3) 14, of the two metal bound nitrates one is bidentate and the other is unidentate, while the metal centre obtains a distorted square antiprism coordination environment. Proton NMR spectra of the paramagnetic lanthanide complexes have been studied in detail. Contributions of contact and pseudo-contact shifts to the lanthanide induced isotropic shifts (LIS) of the macrocycle protons have been separated and good agreement has been obtained between the calculated LIS values and the experimentally observed values. Analysis of the NMR data has led us to conclude that all the complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide solution attain similar configurations. The absorption and emission spectral characteristic of several compounds have been investigated. The complexes of samarium (5) and europium (6) on photoexcitation at 400 nm exhibit well-resolved luminescence spectra at 77 K both in the solid state and a methanol-ethanol (1 : 4) glassy matrix. For the terbium (8) and dysprosium (9) complexes, however, the observed luminescence peaks are less resolved and weak in intensity.     

Modification of the luminescence spectra of chloro(tetrapyridylcyclotetramine)europium complexes by fine tuning of the Eu-Cl distance with outer-sphere counterions in the solid state, in a polymer matrix and in solution

Controlling the coordination environments and the luminescence properties of Eu(3+) complexes with outer-sphere counterions was achieved in the solid state, in a polymer matrix and in solution.     

Highly luminescent Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) macrocyclic complexes bearing an appended phenanthroline chromophore

A two-component ligand system (1) containing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) as the hosting unit for the lanthanide cations and an appended asymmetrically functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as the chromophore was synthesized. The 1:1 complexes with Eu(3+), Gd(3+), Tb(3+), and Yb(3+) have been prepared and studied in aqueous solution. For Gd.1, a relaxivity value of 2.4 mM(-1) s(-1) has been measured at 20 MHz and 25 degrees C, which indicates that there are no water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the metal ion. The analysis of high resolution (1)H NMR spectra of Yb.1 supports this view and suggests the direct involvement of the phen moiety in the coordination of the metal ion. For Eu.1 and Tb.1, the absorption and luminescence spectra, the overall luminescence efficiencies, and the metal-centered (MC) lifetimes were obtained; coordination features were also determined by comparing luminescence properties in water and deuterated water. For Eu.1 and Tb.1, the overall emission sensitization (se) process in air-equilibrated water was found to be notably effective with phi(se) = 0.21 and 0.11, respectively. A detailed study of the steps originating from light absorption at the phen unit and leading to MC sensitized emission was performed.     

Ion size dominated 1D and 2D Salen lanthanide coordination complexes and their luminescence

Lewis acid/base addition between Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Lu) and H₂salen [H₂salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] gives rise to an array of coordination polymeric structures. Crystal structural analysis reveals that Salen effectively functions as a bridging ligand in these compounds. The size of the lanthanide ions controls the structures of these Salen lanthanide complexes. Two representative structures with one dimensional and two dimensional topologies, viz. [Pr(H₂salen)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂]_n (1) and [Ln(H₂salen)_1.5(NO₃)₃]_n [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Tb (6) and Lu (7)] are reported. Luminescent spectra of complexes 4 and 5 exhibit characteristic metal-centered emission lines. However, the characteristic luminescence of the terbium(III) ion is not observed either in solution or in the solid state of complex 6.     

A strategy to protect and sensitize near-infrared luminescent Nd3+ and Yb3+: organic tropolonate ligands for the sensitization of Ln(3+)-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals

A strategy to sensitize and protect near-infrared (NIR) emitting Nd3+ and Yb3+ is presented. Combining protection provided by the inorganic matrix of NaYF4 nanocrystals and sensitization from tropolonate ligands capped on their surface, the lanthanide cation centered luminescence was observed through the ligand excitation. The extended lanthanide luminescence lifetimes indicate the success of this strategy.     

Luminescent cyanometallates based on phenylpyridine-Ir(III) units: solvatochromism, metallochromism, and energy-transfer in Ir/Ln and Ir/Re complexes

[Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) (ppy = anion of 2-phenylpyridine) and some substituted derivatives have been investigated for their ability to interact with additional metal cations, both in solution and the solid state, via the externally-directed cyanide lone pairs, and to act as energy-donors in the resulting assemblies. [Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) is slightly solvatochromic, showing a blue-shift of the lowest energy absorption manifold in water compared to organic solvents, and the solubilised (t)Bu-substituted analogue [Ir((t)Buppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) [(t)Buppy = anion of 2-(4-(t)Bu-phenyl)pyridine] is also metallochromic with coordination of the cyanide lone pairs to two M(II) cations in MeCN (M = Ba, Zn) resulting in blue-shifts of the lowest-energy absorption and emission maxima. These effects are however modest because of (i) the presence of only two cyanide groups, and (ii) the fact that the lowest-energy excited state has a substantial (3)LC component and is therefore not purely charge-transfer in nature. Crystallisation of [Ir(ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) as its (PPN)(+) salt in the presence of excess of lanthanide(III) salts leads to formation of assemblies based on Ir-CN-Ln bonds, which generate in the solid state either Ir(2)Ln(2)(μ-CN)(4) square assemblies or linear trinuclear species with Ir-CN-Ln-NC-Ir cores. In the Ir(2)Eu(2)(μ-CN)(4) and Ir(2)Nd(2)(μ-CN)(4) complexes the Ir-based emission is substantially quenched due to energy-transfer to lower-lying f-f states of these lanthanide ions. In addition reaction of [Ir(F(2)ppy)(2)(CN)(2)](-) [F(2)ppy = cyclometallating anion of 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine] with [Re(phen)(CO)(3)(MeCN)][PF(6)] in solution affords dinuclear IrRe and trinuclear IrRe(2) species in which {Re(phen)(CO)(3)} units are attached to the N-donor termini of one or both of the cyanide groups; these complexes have been structurally characterised and display quantitative Ir→Re energy-transfer, showing luminescence only from the Re(I) terminus on excitation of the Ir(III) unit.     

Coordination compounds of neodymium,samarium, and europium with acyldihydrazones of imino-, oxo-, and thiodiacetic acids and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-formylpyrazol-5-one

The coordination compounds of neodymium(III), samarium(III), and europium(III) with the acyldihydrazones of imino-, oxo-, and thiodiacetic acids and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-formylpyrazol-5-one were synthesized and studied. According to X-ray diffraction data, the complexes are binuclear and the lanthanide cations are linked by three binucleating ligands. The coordination polyhedra have a three-cap triangular prism geometry, the prism bases being formed by oxygen atoms and the vertices being occupied by the imine nitrogen atoms. Solid Nd(III) and Sm(III) complexes show intense luminescence in the spectral regions characteristic of these cations. Europium(III) complexes are liminescence-inactive due to the low efficiency of excitation energy transfer to the resonance levels of the central atom.     

Syntheses, structures, and luminescent and magnetic properties of novel three-dimensional lanthanide complexes with 1,3,5-benzenetriacetate

Five novel lanthanide complexes with the formulas [Nd(bta)(H2O)2.4.35H2O]n(1), [Sm(bta)(H2O)2.4.5H2O]n (2), [Eu(bta)(H2O).1.48H2O]n (3), [Tb(bta)(H2O).1.31H2O]n (4), and [Yb(bta)(H2O).H2O]n (5) (H3bta = 1,3,5-benzenetriacetic acid) have been prepared by using the corresponding lanthanide salt and H3bta. The results of an X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that all the complexes have three-dimensional channel-like structures, in which the bta3- ligands adopt different coordination modes: monodentate and mu2-eta2:eta1-bridging coordination modes in 1, 2, and 5 and mu2-eta1:eta1-bridging and mu2-eta2:eta1-bridging coordination modes in 3 and 4, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2, as well as 3 and 4, are isostructural, respectively, in which all the Ln(III) (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, and Tb) atoms are nine-coordinated, while the Yb(III) atoms in complex 5 are eight-coordinated. Both complexes 3 and 4 showed strong luminescence upon excitation, and their luminescence decay curves fit well with single exponential decays of which the lifetime is 0.45 ms for 3 and 1.0 ms for 4. The magnetic properties of the complexes were investigated in the temperature range of 1.8-300 K.