Synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence properties of europium(III) and phosphine oxides

The ligand 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo [3.3.1.1] decane-7-oxide (TPA-oxide) is composed of a cage-like structure. In an attempt to create a cyclic lanthanide compound, the water soluble europium(III) acetate was reacted with the phosphine oxide. In this presentation we will examine the coordination modes of the TPA-oxide and tri-2-furylphosphine oxides with the lanthanide, europium ion. The TPA-oxide and 1-methylimidazole-diphenylphosphine oxide are specially targeted. Our interests in these compounds lie in the production of novel lanthanide compounds containing chromophoric ligands that photosensitize lanthanide-ion luminescence. Compounds of this sort are of intense current interest and can be used in technological applications such as chemosensor, optical communications, and optoelectronic devices. Donor ligands used for such applications usually have strong absorbance in the UV region and transfer their excited energy to the acceptor lanthanide ions. The studied phosphine oxides have also strong absorbance corresponding to n-π^* transition and may act as light harvesting antennae and can subsequently transfer absorbed energy to coordinated Ln(III) cations. Such investigations are being conducted in our laboratory for potential application as chemical sensors. Details of the synthetic strategy and the subsequent photoluminescence studies will be reported.