Structural Features of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+)-Bipyridinedicarboxamide Complexes

Photoluminescent lanthanide complexes of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) as central atoms and N(6),N(6)’-diisopropyl-[2,2′-bipyridine]-6,6′-dicarboxamide as ligand were synthesized. The structure of these complexes was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. Bipyridinic ligands provide formation of coordinatively saturated complexes of lanthanide ions and strong photoluminescence (PL). The Eu(3+)- and Tb(3+)-complexes exhibit PL emission in the red and green regions observed at a 340 nm excitation. The quantum yield for the complexes was revealed to be 36.5 and 12.6% for Tb(3+)- and Eu(3+)-complexes, respectively. These lanthanide compounds could be employed as photoluminescent solid-state compounds and as emitting fillers in polymer (for example, polyethylene glycol) photoluminescent materials.