Synthesis, crystal structure, luminescent and magnetic properties of europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes with a bidentate benzoate and a tripod N7 ligand containing three imidazole, [LnIII(H3L)benzoate](ClO4)2·H2O·2MeOH (LnIII = EuIII and TbIII)

Abstract Eu III and Tb III complexes with a benzoate and a tripod N 7 ligand, [Ln III (H 3 L)benzoate](ClO 4 ) 2 ·H 2 O·2MeOH (Ln III  = Eu III and Tb III ; H 3 L = tris[2-(((imidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine), were synthesized and crystallized into an isomorphous structure. Each Ln III ion is coordinated by one tripod ligand and one benzoate, resulting in a nona-coordinated capped square antiprism geometry. The solid-state emission spectra displayed sharp bands of the f–f transitions. Tb III complex exhibits a magnetic anisotropy and the ac susceptibility measurements exhibited an out-of-phase signal under 1000 G bias field, indicative slow relaxation of magnetization.