Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of novel europium complexes of 2'-hydroxyacetophenone and 4,6-diacetylresorcinol

Novel europium (III) complexes of the formulae Eu(OHAP)(3).2H2O, Eu(OHAP)(3)Phen, Eu2(DAR)(3).4H2O and Eu2(DAR)(3)Phen2 (HOHAP=2'-hydroxyacetophenone, H2DAR=4,6-diacetylresorcinol, Phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been designed and synthesized in this paper. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV-vis. Based on these observations, the ligands are coordinated to Eu(III) via the acetyl and phenolic oxygens, and H2DAR is concluded to be bis-bidentate donor. Photoluminescence studies showed that the several complexes emitted red luminescence. Thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that the complexes possess good thermal stability. Also, it was found that Phen as a synergic ligand, coordinated to Eu(III) in a composite system like 2'-hydroxyacetophenone and 4,6-diacetylresorcinol, could enhance the complexes luminescence intensity, quantum yield and lifetime.