Derivatives of dipicolinic acid with a polyoxyethylene pendant arm at the pyridine 4-position have been functionalized for potential grafting with biological material. Four ligands with different terminal functions (alcohol, methoxy, phtalimide and amine) have been synthesized, which react with trivalent lanthanide ions Ln (III) to yield triple helical [Ln(L) 3] (3-) complexes, as shown by NMR and UV-vis titrations. The tris chelates display large thermodynamic stability with log beta 13 approximately 19-20 for all Eu (III) complexes for instance. Photophysical measurements reveal adequate sensitization of the metal-centered luminescence in the europium (eta sens = 33-72%) and terbium complexes, which is modulated by the nature of the terminal function. The lifetimes of the metal-centered excited states are long, up to 1.4 ms for [Eu(L) 3] (3-) and 1.6 ms for [Tb(L) 3] (3-) at room temperature, in line with hydration numbers essentially equal to zero. Quantum yields are as high as 29% for the [Eu( L ( NH2 )) 3] (3-) and 18% for the [Tb( L ( OH )) 3] (3-) tris chelates in water at physiological pH. These series of complexes demonstrate the extent of fine-tuning achievable for lanthanide luminescent probes and are simple models for investigating the effect of binding to biological molecules on the metal-centered luminescent properties.
A series of hexadentate ditopic receptors incorporating benzimidazole moieties have been designed, which are fitted with phosphonic acid or phosphoethylester coordinating units. In addition, poly(oxyethylene) pendants have been introduced on the benzimidazole backbone of two ligands to increase water solubility. The ligands self-assemble with lanthanide ions under stoichiometric conditions, yielding triple-stranded homobimetallic helicates, as ascertained by mass spectrometry and UV-visible titrations. The helicates display large thermodynamic stability, for example, log β 23 ≈ 21-24 for all the Eu III complexes. Photophysical measurements reveal sensitization of the metal-centered luminescence in the europium and terbium complexes, which is modulated by the nature of the ligand. Hydration numbers determined by the lifetime method are essentially zero. The Eu( 5 D 0 ) lifetimes are long and reach values up to 3.2 ms, while quantum yields as high as 25% are obtained in water at pH 7.4. Back transfer limits the sensitization efficiency for Tb III luminescence, and both lifetimes and quantum yields are much smaller. The properties of the helicates are discussed with respect to those self-assembled from ligands bearing carboxylate coordinating units.
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