Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of novel europium complexes of 2′-hydroxyacetophenone and 4,6-diacetylresorcinol

Novel europium (III) complexes of the formulae Eu(OHAP)3·2H2O, Eu(OHAP)3Phen, Eu2(DAR)3·4H2O and Eu2(DAR)3Phen2 (HOHAP = 2′-hydroxyacetophenone, H2DAR = 4,6-diacetylresorcinol, Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been designed and synthesized in this paper. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV–vis. Based on these observations, the ligands are coordinated to Eu(III) via the acetyl and phenolic oxygens, and H2DAR is concluded to be bis-bidentate donor. Photoluminescence studies showed that the several complexes emitted red luminescence. Thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that the complexes possess good thermal stability. Also, it was found that Phen as a synergic ligand, coordinated to Eu(III) in a composite system like 2′-hydroxyacetophenone and 4,6-diacetylresorcinol, could enhance the complexes luminescence intensity, quantum yield and lifetime.