Novel quadridentate salen type triple-decker sandwich ytterbium complexes with near infrared luminescence

Unique quadridentate salen type triple-decker dinuclear sandwich ytterbium complex [Yb2L3(CH3OH)]center dot 0.5H(2)O (1) and triple-decker trinuclear sandwich ytterbium complex [Yb3L3(CH3OH)(2)-(NO3)(3)]center dot CH3OH center dot 5H(2)O (2) are isolated from the reactions of Yb(OAc)(3)center dot 4H(2)O and Yb(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O with H2L, respectively (H2L = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-(phenylene-diamine)). Complex 2 could be harvested from the addition of complex 1 and Yb(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Near infrared (NIR) lanthanide luminescence and the lifetime of complexes 1 and 2 are conducted and described.