title: Rare-Earth complexes of ferrocene-containing ligands: visible-light excitable luminescent materials.
abstract: The ferrocene-derivatives bis(ferrocenyl-ethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (Fc(2)phen) and ferrocenoyltrifluoroacetone (Hfta) have been used to synthesize ferrocene-containing rare-earth beta-diketonate complexes. The complexes [Ln(tta)(3)(Fc(2)phen)] and [Ln(fta)(3)(phen)] (where Ln = La, Nd, Eu, Yb) show structural similarities to the tris(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate)(1,10-phenanthroline)lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(tta)(3)(phen)]. The coordination number of the lanthanide ion is 8, and the coordination sphere can be described as a distorted dodecahedron. However, the presence of the ferrocene moieties shifts the ligand absorption bands of the rare-earth complexes to longer wavelengths so that the complexes can be excited not only by ultraviolet radiation but also by visible light of wavelengths up to 420 nm. Red photoluminescence is observed for the europium(III) complexes and near-infrared photoluminescence for the neodymium(III) and ytterbium(III) complexes. The presence of the ferrocene groups makes the rare-earth complexes hydrophobic and well-soluble in apolar organic solvents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yao-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cardinaels
authors.forename: Kyra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lunstroot
authors.forename: Kristof Van
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Hecke
authors.forename: Luc Van
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Meervelt
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Görller-Walrand
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Binnemans
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nockemann