Photoluminescence properties of the “bent sandwich-like” compounds [Eu(TpiPr2)2] and [Yb(TpiPr2)2] - Intermediates between nitride-based phosphors and metallocenes

The photoluminescence properties of the “bent sandwich-like” complexes [Eu(TpiPr2)2] and [Yb(TpiPr2)2] are presented in this paper. Both compounds crystallize isotypically and are characterized by typical 5d↔4f transitions of the divalent lanthanide ions in the visible range that also give rise to the intense colors of the compounds. The low emission energies as well as other optical properties such as decay times and quantum yields are correlated to the local structure of the lanthanide ions and provide a nice example of an intermediate case between nitride-based phosphors and metallocenes with divalent lanthanides.242