Charge transfer bands in the Eu3+ luminescence excitation spectra of isomeric europium pyridine-dicarboxylates

A ligand-cation charge transfer band was observed in the region of 360–400 nm in the Eu³⁺ luminescence excitation spectrum of europium 3,4-pyridine-dicarboxylates, but was absent in the spectra of europium 2,6-and 2,3-pyridine-dicarboxylates. This band is due to noticeable energy transfer through a charge-transfer state formed owing to the high polarizability of the ligand in the former compound. Energy transfer through the excited ligand-lanthanide charge-transfer state can explain the well-known effect of luminescence quenching by redox-sensitive lanthanide ions.