Synthesis and characterization of electroluminescent organo-lanthanide(iii) complexes

New luminescent thermally stable lanthanide-(benzoyl)benzoate complexes are synthesized and characterized. The photoluminescence in these complexes originates from the radiative transitions of the lanthanide ions which are excited via intersystem crossing from the initially excited ligands. The electroluminescent properties of the terbium-(benzoyl)benzoates were studied by fabricating and characterizing single layer light emitting diodes containing poly(N-vinylcarbazole) doped with the lanthanide complexes and butyl-PBD. The energy transfer between the organic components of the single layer devices is also discussed.