Visible‐near‐infrared luminescent lanthanide ternary complexes based on beta‐diketonate using visible‐light excitation

We used the synthesized dinaphthylmethane (Hdnm) ligand whose absorption extends to the visible‐light wavelength, to prepare a family of ternary lanthanide complexes, named as [Ln(dnm)₃phen] (Ln = Sm, Nd, Yb, Er, Tm, Pr). The properties of these complexes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance (DR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and excitation and emission spectroscopy. Generally, excitation with visible light is much more advantageous than UV excitation. Importantly, upon excitation with visible light (401–460 nm), the complexes show characteristic visible (Sm³⁺) as well as near‐infrared (Sm³⁺, Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺, Pr³⁺) luminescence of the corresponding lanthanide ions, attributed to the energy transfer from the ligands to the lanthanide ions, an antenna effect. Now, using these near‐infrared luminescent lanthanide complexes, the luminescent spectral region from 800 to 1650 nm, can be covered completely, which is of particular interest for biomedical imaging applications, laser systems, and optical amplification applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses, structures and fluorescence of lanthanide complexes of 4-acyl pyrazolone derivatives

Three lanthanide complexes of 4-acyl pyrazolone derivatives: Ln(PMPP-SHZ)₂(CH₃OH)₂ (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3); PMPP-SHZ = N-(1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-propionyl-5-pyrazolone)-salicylidene hydrazide) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. And all of them were carefully investigated by elemental analysis, thermal analysis and spectral characterization. The fluorescence of these three complexes 1-3 in solid state was investigated at room temperature. All complexes emit a blue emission band, and there are three characteristic emission peaks of Sm³⁺ evidently and one characteristic emission peak of Eu³⁺.     

Assembly and upconversion luminescence of lanthanide-organic frameworks with mixed acid ligands

Three new lanthanide coordination polymers based on mixed acid ligands [Ln(oba)(ox)_0.5(H₂O)₂]_n (Ln = Y (1); Er (2); Yb (3). H₂oba = 4,4′-oxybis (benzoic acid); H₂ox = oxalic acid) were prepared by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In these complexes, lanthanide ions are bridged by oba ligands to form 1D double-stranded chains, which are further connected by ox ligands, resulting in the formation of 2D (4,4) grids. The upconversion emission of the Y:Er-Yb co-doped coordination polymer was studied and the unusual blue emission for the Er(III) complexes was observed, which arises from the ²H_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition and can be explained by three-photon excitation mechanism which is mostly phonon-dependent. The introduction of the oxalate anion without high-energy vibrational groups is beneficial to the increasing intensity of upconversion fluorescence. The magnetic properties of complexes 2 and 3 were investigated. The decrease of χ_MT over the temperature range of 300-2 K and the negative value of θ are due primarily to the splitting of the ligand field of the Er^III and Yb^III ions together with the possible weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the rare earth ions.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of series ternary lanthanide (Eu(III), Sm(III), Nd(III), Er(III), Yb(III)) complexes containing 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate and carbazole-functionalized ligand

A series of new ternary lanthanide complexes Ln(TFNB)₃L (where Ln = Eu, Sm, Nd, Er, Yb, TFNB = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate, L = 1-(4-carbazolylphenyl)-2-pyridinyl benzimidazole) have been synthesised. The photoluminescence properties and TGA of them are described in detail. The trifluorinated ligand TFNB displays excellent antenna effect to sensitize the Ln(III) ions to emit characteristic spectra. The carbazole-containing ligand L is testified to be an outstanding synergistic ligand. The luminescence properties investigated and the quantum efficiency measured in dichloromethane solution of Eu(TFNB)₃L and Sm(TFNB)₃L show that the carbazole moiety is good at absorbing energy to sensitize the metal-centered emitting states and can make the complexes more rigid, provide efficient shielding of the Ln(III) core towards external quenching compared with the reference complexes of Eu(TFNB)₃(Pybm) and Sm(TFNB)₃(Pybm) (Pybm = 2-(2-pyridine)-benzimidazole) which have no carbazole unit. The quantum efficiency of Eu(TFNB)₃L in air-equilibrated CH₂Cl₂ solution is calculated to be 14.8% by using air-equilibrated aqueous [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺·2Cl⁻ solution as reference sample (Φ_std = 2.8%).     

近红外发光卟啉镱-铂配合物的合成及其光物理性质研究

稀土发光材料相比于传统有机荧光染料在生物成像、分子检测和传感等领域具有独特的优势。目前,稀土发光生物探针主要以可见光发射为主,此类探针受限于组织穿透深度,应用范围较窄。具有较大组织穿透能力的近红外(NIR)稀土发光生物探针,由于其发光效率较低而少有报到。本工作合成了一种新型近红外发光的卟啉镱-铂配合物,TFPYb-Pt,表征并测试了该配合物的光物理性质。实验证实TFPYb-Pt具有较大的NIR发光效率(980/1 030 nm,Фem=0.37)和较长的NIR发光寿命(τ=49μs),表明该配合物可望被用于开发新型生物NIR发光探针。     

New chiral macrocyclic lanthanide complexes derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformylpyridine

The new enantiopure complexes [LnL](NO₃)₃ · nH₂O (Ln = Dy⁺³, Ho⁺³, Er⁺³, Lu⁺³) and [LnL]Cl₃ · nH₂O (Ln = Nd⁺³, Sm⁺³, Gd⁺³, Tb⁺³, Dy⁺³, Ho⁺³, Er⁺³, Tm⁺³, Lu⁺³) of the chiral macrocycle L derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformylpyridine have been synthesised. The preference of macrocycle L for the heavier lanthanide(III) ions has been established on the basis of competition reaction. The complexes have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. ¹H NMR signals of deuterated water solutions of the Ce⁺³, Nd⁺³ and Eu⁺³ complexes have been assigned on the basis of the COSY and HMQC spectra, and for the remaining lanthanide complexes the signals were assigned on the basis of linewidths analysis. The paramagnetic shifts of the series of lanthanide complexes [LnL](NO₃)₃ · nH₂O and [LnL]Cl₃ · nH₂O have been analysed using both crystal-field dependent and independent methods in order to separate contact and dipolar contributions and establish isostructurality along the series of lanthanide complexes in solution. The data obtained for nitrate derivatives in organic solvent indicate rather irregular deviations from the plots based on those methods, while the plots obtained for water solutions show the characteristic brake in the middle of the lanthanide series, that is interpreted as a result of change of the number of axially coordinated water molecules. The apparent inconsistencies of results obtained on the basis of crystal-field independent method are discussed.     

Ruthenium(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline: Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies

Two novel Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; MCMIP = 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes were investigated by absorption, emission, melting temperature and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicate that the two complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. Upon irradiation at 365 nm, two Ru(II) complexes were found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from supercoiled form I to nicked form II, and the mechanisms for DNA cleavage by the complexes were also investigated.     

Octahedral hexanuclear complexes involving light lanthanide ions

Two new hexanuclear complexes involving two of the lightest lanthanide ions have been synthesized and structurally described. Their chemical formula is [Ln₆(μ₆-O)(μ₃-OH)₈(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₁₄] · 2NO₃ · 2H₂O with Ln = Pr or Nd. The structure has been solved for the Pr³⁺-containing compound. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n (no. 14) with a = 12.4163(2) Å, b = 10.51210(10) Å, c = 16.0389(2) Å, β = 95.7810(6)° and Z = 4. The chemical and thermal stabilities of both the compounds have been studied. These studies reveal that they can be used as molecular chemical precursors for further materials synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this praseodymium-containing hexanuclear complex is the first ever reported.     

Synthesis and near IR photoluminescence of Os(II) bis(2,2′-bipyridine) (3,8-diarylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complexes: anomalous behavior in the 3,8-dinitrophenylethynyl-substituted homologue

A large bathochromic shift (?50 nm) and emission in the near infrared is observed by attaching arylethynyl groups at the 3,8-positions of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand (phen) of [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ (where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine). Thus [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-methoxyphenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits at 795 nm, while [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-diphenylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]²⁺ emits at 815 nm. According to this trend it would have been expected that [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-nitrophenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits farther in the near infrared. Nevertheless, this complex is not photoluminescent because of intramolecular electron transfer quenching of the MLCT excited state by the nitroaromatic group. These results set structural and redox potential standards in the design of near infrared emitters based on [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ type complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization and preliminary cytotoxicity evaluation of five lanthanide(III)-plumbagin complexes

Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, H-PLN) was isolated from Plumbago zeylanica, the anticancer traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Five new lanthanide(III) complexes of deprotonated plumbagin: [Y(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (1), [La(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (2), [Sm(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂]⋅H₂O (3), [Gd(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (4), and [Dy(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (5) were synthesized by the reaction of plumbagin with the corresponding lanthanide salts, in amounts equal to ligand/metal molar ratio of 3:1. The PLN-lanthanide(III) complexes were characterized by different physicochemical methods: elemental analyses, UV-visible, IR and ¹H NMR and ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrum) as well as TGA (thermogravimetric analysis). The plumbagin and its lanthanide(III) complexes 1-5, were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity against BEL7404 (liver cancer) cell lines by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The five PLN-lanthanide (III) complexes 1-5 effectively inhibited BEL7404 cell lines growth with IC₅₀ values of 11.0 ± 3.5, 5.1 ± 1.3, 6.1 ± 1.1, 6.4 ± 1.3, and 9.8 ± 1.5 μM, respectively, and exhibited a significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to plumbagin and the corresponding lanthanide salts, suggesting a synergistic effect upon plumbagin coordination to the Ln(III) ion. The lanthanide complexes under investigation also exerted dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic activity. [La(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (2) and plumbagin interact with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) mainly via intercalation mode, but for [La(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (2), the electrostatic interaction should not be excluded; the binding affinity of [La(PLN)₃(H₂O)₂] (2) to DNA is stronger than that of free plumbagin, which may correlate with the enhanced cytotoxicity of the PLN-lanthanide(III) complexes.     

Heteroleptic κ(N,C)-2-phenylpyridine platinum complexes: The use of bis(pyrazolyl)borates as ancillary ligands

Luminescent platinum(II) bis(pyrazolyl)borate complexes bearing orthometalated phenylpyridines (based on 2-phenylpyridine, 3-hexyloxy-2-phenylpyridine and (4-(pyridine-2-yl)-phenyl)methanol) and bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands (employed as potassium dihydridobis(pyrazolyl)borate and potassium dihydridobis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) have been synthesized and characterized. By reaction of K₂PtCl₄ with phenylpyridine ligands a precursor has been obtained which was further converted to the corresponding heteroleptic complexes. All platinum(II) bis(pyrazolyl)borate complexes have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Luminescence as well as lifetime measurements in solution and in the solid state have been performed to establish a qualitative relationship between structure and luminescence properties. The absorption and emission properties of these complexes are governed by the nature of the orthometalating ligand with emission maxima ranging from 488 to 551 nm. Emission spectra at room temperature show well-resolved vibronic fine structures and a strong spin-orbit coupling. For the compounds under investigation the mixing of the excited states leads to apparent lifetimes in the microsecond regime (5.7-8.6 μs), rendering these materials phosphorescent.     

Remarkable chiral and luminescent properties of novel Yb(III) and Eu(III) complexes containing BINAPO ligand

Lanthanide complexes are of great importance for their prospective applications in wide range of science and technology. Chiral lanthanide complexes can constitute stereo-discriminating probes in biological media, owing to the luminescent properties of the rare-earth ions. Sensitized emission with narrow bandwidth, having fast radiation rate and high emission quantum efficiency are the main perspective for synthesizing the complexes. Attention has been given on remarkable chirality with high dissymmetry factors (g = Δε_ext/ε_max) of the complexes. For this purpose, beta-diketonato ligands with chiral BINAPO (1,1′-binapthyl phosphine oxide) ligand were chosen to achieve the goal. The complexes [Ln(TFN)₃(S-BINAPO)](TFN = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1(2-napthyl)-1,3-butanedione), [Ln(HFT)₃(S-BINAPO)] (HFT = 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-hexanedione) and [Ln(HFA)₃(S-BINAPO)](hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (where Ln = Yb, Eu) were synthesized. The complex, [Eu(TFN)₃(S-BINAPO)] gives strong red emission at 615 nm with narrow emission band (<10 nm) when excited by 465 nm light with quantum efficiency 86%. The dissymmetry factors (g = Δε_ext/ε_max) corresponding to the ⁷F₁ → ⁵D₀ transition at 590 nm is 0.091 for [Eu(TFN)₃(S-BINAPO)] and for [Yb(hfa)₃(S-BINAPO)](hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) corresponding to the ²F_7/2 → ²F_5/2 transitions is 0.12, are among the largest values for both Eu and Yb complexes to date, respectively. The Eu complexes, [Eu(HFT)₃(S-BINAPO)] and [Eu(TFN)₃(S-BINAPO)] are found to be spontaneously emissive, showing bright red emission, when placed in sunlight or even in the laboratory when light is switched on.     

Self-assembly of two 3D coordination polymers based on Ni/Co-terephthalic 1D blocks

Two 3D coordination polymers, {Ni^II(tp)(OHCH₃)}_n (1), and {Co^II(tp)(phen)(H₂O)}_n (2) (tp = terephthalic dianion, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized by self-assembly. The structure analyses show that both of the two complexes are formed by one-dimensional infinite chains through non-covalent interactions, but 1 is formed by one-dimensional straightforward chains, while 2 is based on one-dimensional zigzag ones. The photoluminescent study of the two complexes shows that they exhibit fluorescent emission bands at ca. 374 nm and 392 nm, respectively.     

Carbazole and arylamine functionalized iridium complexes for efficient electro-phosphorescent light-emitting diodes

We report the synthesis and characterization of four cyclometalated iridium complexes based on carbazole and arylamine modified 2-phenylpyridine. The carbazole and arylamine groups are linked to 2-phenyl pyridine backbone to enhance the energy harvesting and transfer from host to guest materials. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of the complexes are studied and electroluminescent devices are fabricated. The results show that the complexes with ligands containing carbazole moieties have desirable phosphorescent properties. The device with complex 3 doped PVK (poly (vinylcarbazole)) as emission layer achieves maximum luminous efficiency of 6.56 cd A⁻¹ and maximum brightness of 14448 cd m⁻².     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes with an unsymmetrical tripodal ligand

Solid complexes of lanthanide nitrates with an novel unsymmetrical tripodal ligand, butyl‐N,N‐bis[(2′‐benzylaminofomyl)phenoxyl)ethyl]‐amine ( L ) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and molar conductivity measurements. At the same time, the luminescent properties of the Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) nitrate complexes in solid state were also investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these complexes exhibited characteristic emission of central metal ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, structure and ethylene oligomerization behavior of non-symmetric bidentate neutral arylnickel(II) phosphine complexes

A series of new neutral arylnickel(II) phosphine complexes bearing non-symmetric bidentate chelate ligands, 3-aryliminomethyl-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, have been synthesized, and the structure of representative complexes (2b and 2d) has been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These neutral arylnickel(II) phosphine complexes have been investigated as catalysts for ethylene oligomerization. Using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes display high ethylene oligomerization activities. A catalytic activity of up to 4.6 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹ h⁻¹ has been observed. The influence of Al/Ni molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction period and pressure on catalytic activity was investigated.     

A series of pyrazolone lanthanide (III) complexes: Synthesis, crystal structures and fluorescence

A series of pyrazolone lanthanide complexes: Ln(PMPP)₃ · 2H₂O · C₂H₅OH (Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Gd (3), Dy (4); PMPP = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-propionyl-5-pyrazolone) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method with the starting ligand PMPP-SAH (1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(salicylidene hydrazone)-propionyl-5-pyrazolone) changed into PMPP during the formation process of complexes. All the complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The fluorescence of these four complexes 1-4 in solid state and DMF solution was investigated via F-4500 spectrophotometer and all of them indicate a fluorescent behavior at room temperature.     

Complexation thermodynamics and the formation of the binary and the ternary complexes of tetravalent plutonium with carboxylate and aminocarboxylate ligands in aqueous solution of high ionic strength

The stability constants of the binary and the ternary complexes of Pu⁴⁺ have been measured for certain carboxylate and aminocarboxylate ligands in aqueous solution of I = 5.0 M (1 M perchloric acid + 4 M ionic strength perchlorate media) and temperatures of 0-45 °C by the solvent extraction technique. The stability constants of the binary and the ternary complexes increased with increased temperature. The complexation enthalpy and entropy of the binary Pu-Ox and the ternary Pu-EDTA-Ox and DGA complexes indicated the stability of these complexes is due to the highly favorable entropy contribution while complexation enthalpies either oppose complexation or are weakly favorable.     

Tuning iridium(III) complexes containing 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine based ligands in the red region

Synthesis and characterization of four iridium(III) complexes containing 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine based ligands are reported. The absorption, emission, electrochemistry, and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. The (btmp)₂Ir(acac) (btmp = 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-4-methyl-pyridyl, acac = acetyl acetone) was characterized using X-ray crystallography. Calculation on the electronic ground state for (btmp)₂Ir(acac) was carried out using B3LYP density functional theory, HOMO levels are a mixture of Ir and btmp ligand orbitals, while the LUMO is predominantly btmp ligand based. Introduction of substituents (CH₃, CF₃) into pyridyl ring in a typical red emitter (btp)₂Ir(acac) leads to a marked decrease in the sublimation temperature, which is more suitable for OLEDs process. Electrochemical studies showed that (btmp)₂Ir(acac) has a slightly lower oxidation potential, but (btfmp)₂Ir(acac), (btfmp)₂Ir(dbm), and (btfmp)₂Ir(pic) (btfmp = 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine, dbm = dibenzoylmethane, pic = 2-picolinic acid) containing CF₃ group are much difficult to oxidate than (btp)₂Ir(acac). The emission characteristics of these complexes can be tuned by either changing the substituents and their position on 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine or using different monoanionic ligands, showing emission λ_max values from 604 to 638 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution at room temperature.     

Molecular movements inside [1+1] asymmetric compartmental macrocycles: Formation of positional mononuclear and hetero-dinuclear lanthanide(III) isomers and related homo-dinuclear complexes

The mononuclear macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(H₂L)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ (Ln = Y, La, Ce, Cu, Tb, Yb, Lu; H₂L = H₂L_A, H₂L_B, H₂L_C) were prepared by condensation 3,3′-(3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diyldioxy)bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) or 3,3′-(3-oxapentane-1,5-diyldioxy)bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) with 1,5-diamino-3-azamethylpentane or 1,7-diamino-3-azamethylheptane in the presence of LnCl₃ · nH₂O as templating agent. The asymmetric [1+1] ligands H₂L_A, H₂L_B and H₂L_C contain one smaller or larger N₃O₂ Schiff base site and one crown-ether like O₂O₄ or O₂O₃ site. The preference of the lanthanide ion to reside into the Schiff base or the crown-ether like chamber was investigated in the solid state and in methanol or dimethylsulfoxide solution. It was found that in the solid state or in methanol the lanthanide(III) ion coordinates into the O₂O_n site while in dimethylsulfoxide demetalation and partial metal ion migration from the O₂O_n into the N₃O₂ chamber occur. The mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(H₂L)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ with the Ln³⁺ ion in the O₂O_n site have been used as ligands in the synthesis of the heterodinuclear complexes LnLn′(L)(Cl)₄ · 4H₂O by reaction with the appropriate Ln′(III) chloride in methanol and in the presence of base. The related homodinuclear complexes Ln₂(L)(Cl)₄ · 4H₂O have been prepared by the one-pot condensation of the appropriate precursors in the presence of base and of the lanthanide(III) ion as templating agent.The single-crystal X-ray structure of [Eu(H₂L_A)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ · 5H₂O has been determined. The europium ion is nine-coordinated in the O₂O₃ ligand site and bonded to four water molecules and the coordination polyhedron can be described as a square monocapped antiprism.The site occupancy of the different lanthanide(III) ions and the physico-chemical properties arising from the different dinuclear aggregation and/or from the variation of the crown-ether shape have been investigated by IR and NMR spectroscopy, MS spectrometry and SEM-EDS microscopy. In particular, site migration and/or transmetalation reactions, together with demetalation reactions, have been monitored by NMR studies in methanol and dimethylsulfoxide. It was found that these processes strongly depend on the shape of the two coordination chambers, the solvent used and the radius of the lanthanide(III) ions. Thus, these molecular movements can be tuned by changing appropriately these parameters.