Synthesis and photophysical properties of IrIII-LnIII (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes containing bipyrimidines as bridging ligands

Bipyrimidines have been chosen as (N∧N)(N∧N) bridging ligands for connecting metal centers. IrIII-LnIII (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes [Ir(dfppy)2(μ-bpm)Ln(TTA)3]Cl were synthesized by using Ir(dfppy)2(bpm)Cl as the ligand coordinating to lanthanide complexes Ln(TTA)3·2H2O. The stability constants between Ir(dfppy)2(bpm)Cl and lanthanide ions were measured by fluorescence titration. The obvious quenching of visible emission from IrIII complex in the IrIII-LnIII (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes indicates that energy transfer occurred from IrIII center to lanthanides. NIR emissions from NdIII, YbIII, and ErIII were obtained under the excitation of visible light by selective excitation of the IrIII-based chromophore. It was proven that Ir(dfppy)2(bpm)Cl as the ligand could effectively sensitize NIR emission from NdIII, YbIII, and ErIII.