Synthesis, Structure and Luminescent Properties of Rare-Earth-Metal Oxyacridinates

Complexes of Sc, La, Sm, Gd, Tb and Yb with 1,3-di-tert-butyl-7-methylacridin-4-olate (Acr(Me)) and 1,3-di-tert-butyl-7-bromoacridin-4-olate (Acr(Br)) ligands were obtained by reactions of respective acridinols with cyclopentadienides or tris(trimethylsilyl)amides of rare earth metals or by metathesis of metal chlorides with Na(Acr(R)). The Sc and La complexes with Acr(Me) ligands revealed photo- and electroluminescence of moderate intensity while the Sm, Gd, and Tb complexes, as well as all complexes with Akr(Br) ligands, turned out to be luminescent inactive. The La(Akr(Br))(3) and Yb(Acr(Br))(3) complexes showed photovoltaic properties. The best results of energy conversion were achieved on three-layer model devices containing a lanthanum complex as a photoactive material.

Automated summary

A series of rare earth complexes were synthesized, revealing differences in their photo- and electroluminescence as well as photovoltaic properties. The complexes with Acr(Me) ligands of La and Sc showed moderate intensity luminescence, while those with Akr(Br) ligands of Sm, Gd, Tb were non-luminescent. La and Yb complexes exhibited photovoltaic properties.