Kinetic study of thermal decomposition of new Eu(III), Tb(III) and Gd(III) complexes with beta-diketone ligands and 4,4-diphenyl-2,2-dipyridyl, chloride of 1,10-phenantrolinium

• Thermal stability of luminescent Eu3 +, Tb3 +, and Gd3 + complexes was examined.
• Kinetic parameters of thermal degradation were obtained by non-isothermal methods.
• The thermal degradation of complexes is best described by R2 and R3 kinetic models.
• Eu(fod)3·phenCl is the most thermally stable lanthanide complex.

Complexes of general formula [Eu(fod)3·L], [Tb(fod)3·L] and [Gd(fod)3·L] (where fod = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octadionate; L = 4,4-diphenyl-2,2-dipyridyl or/and chloride of 1,10-phenantrolinium) were synthesized by reacting the corresponding salt of terbium and gadolinium with β-diketone(fod) and other ligands, and the precursor Eu(fod)3·2H2O with diphenylbipy and phenCl ligands. The thermal decomposition of these complexes along with description of some emitting materials is discussed in details. We focused on those complexes emitting in the visible region, which can be used in lighting industry (e.g., for the preparation of photo- and electro-luminescent devices) and for biological immunoassays. The thermal decompositions of Eu(fod)3·L, Tb(fod)3·L and Gd(fod)3·L are best described by R2 and R3 kinetic models. Some selected results of our work concerning the synthesis of highly luminescent complexes for application in lighting and light conversion technologies are reported. Such materials have been obtained by combining the peculiar luminescence properties of Eu3 + and Tb3 + antenna complexes with β-diketone (fod).

Molecular structure of the complex (A) Eu(fod)3·fenCl and (B) Tb(fod)3·fenCl calculated by model sparkle.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide