Synthesis, structure and luminescence studies of Eu(III), Tb(III), Sm(III), Dy(III) cationic complexes with acetylacetone and bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)propane.

Studies concerning synthesis, structure and luminescence of eight-coordinate Eu, Tb, Sm and Dy complexes of the type [Ln(acac)2(L)]Cl (Hacac = pentanedione-2,4 and L = bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)propane) are reported in detail. The obtained complexes were investigated by various means including elemental- and thermogravimetric analysis, IR- and electron transition spectroscopy. The structure of the Tb complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography: Tb is eight-coordinate, and L acting only as a tetradentate chelate together with two bidentate acac ligands. Photophysical studies of the complexes were carried out. The Tb(III) and Eu(III) complexes show strong emissions both in solid state and solution. The intensity of the luminescence of Dy(III) and Sm(III) are relatively weak. The factors determining the intensity of the photoluminescence are discussed.

Ln(III) complexes of a bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane ligand: synthesis, structure and fluorescent properties.

The new tetradentate ligand H2L bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane ligand H2L has been used to prepare corresponding Ln(III) complexes [Ln(L)(HL)H2O]·6H2O where Ln(III) is Tb(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Nd(III). The resulting complexes were investigated by various means including elemental- and thermogravimetric analysis and IR-, UV-, VIS spectroscopy. The complexes form an isostructural series in the solid state according to X-ray diffraction. The optimal value of triple state energy of the ligand sensitizes both fluorescent visible and near-IR emissions of the lanthanides. However, the overall emission is moderate as a result of the quenching action of coordinated water molecules. The displacement of water molecules from the inner coordination sphere both in solid samples and the solutions results in a significant increase of the efficiency of the luminescence. The best value of the quantum yield was obtained for the Tb(III) complex with 41%. Luminescence titrations demonstrate that [Tb(L)(HL)H2O] is a pH-sensitive emitter which is able to detect pH values in both near neutral pH and acidic pH ranges.