Variable Dimensionality of Europium(III) and Terbium(III) Coordination Compounds with a Flexible Hexacarboxylate Ligand

A reaction between 4,4 ',4 ''-(benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(oxy))triphthalic acid (H6L) and lanthanide(III) nitrates (Ln = Eu3+, Tb3+) in water under the same conditions gave a molecular coordination compound [Tb(H4.5L)(2)(H2O)(5)]center dot 6H(2)O in the case of terbium(III) and a one-dimensional linear coordination polymer {[Eu-2(H3L)(2)(H2O)(6)]center dot 8H(2)O}(n) in the case of europium(III). The crystal structures of both compounds were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and they were further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The compounds demonstrated characteristic lanthanide-centered photoluminescence. The lanthanide-dependent dimensionality of the synthesized compounds, which are the first examples of the coordination compounds of hexacarboxylic acid H6L demonstrates its potential as a linker for new coordination polymers.

Automated summary

In this study, two molecular coordination compounds, terbium(III) oxide and europium(III) oxide, were synthesized through a reaction in water. The crystal structures of these compounds were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and their properties were further characterized using various techniques. The compounds exhibited strong photoluminescence attributed to the lanthanide ions. Furthermore, the synthesis of these compounds demonstrated the potential of hexacarboxylic acid H6L as a novel linker for coordination polymers.