The effect of the lanthanide contraction on coordination with the polyazine bridging ligand 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp)

Abstract Attempts to make homodinuclear lanthanide complexes using the polyazine bridging ligand 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) with Pr 3 + , Nd 3 + , Eu 3 + , and Gd 3 + are presented. The ionic radius of the Ln 3 + ion plays a crucial role in complex formation, with the larger lanthanides forming mononuclear complexes, and the smaller lanthanides forming dinuclear complexes. The structural and temperature dependent luminescent properties of [Eu(tta) 3 ] 2 dpp; where tta = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione, are reported. The β-diketonate ligand (tta) is used as a capping ligand in this bonding motif. Both Eu 3 + ions are eight‐coordinate with six O atoms from the β-diketones and two N atoms from the polyazine bridging ligand. Repulsion of the pyridyl hydrogens causes a distortion in the bridging ligand. Excitation of the β-diketonate ligand tta at ca. 340 nm in methanol solutions results in the characteristic Eu 3 + emission in the visible region of the spectrum. The emission intensity, associated with the Eu 3 + centers, decreases as the temperature of the solution is increased. Evaluation of the data in comparison to data obtained from a monometallic Eu 3 + analog reveals very similar photoluminescent properties. This suggests little electronic communication between Eu 3 + ions via the polyazine dpp bridging ligand.