To explore the relationship between the structure of the ligands and the luminescent properties of the lanthanide complexes, luminescent lanthanide complexes of a new tripodal ligand, featuring N-thenylsalicylamide arms, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and TGA measurements. Photophysical properties of the complexes were studied by means of UV - visible absorption and steady-state luminescence spectroscopy. The results of UV - vis spectra indicate that metal binding does not disturb the electronic structure of the ligand. Excited-state luminescence lifetimes and quantum yields of the complexes were determined. The photoluminescence analysis suggested that there is an efficient ligand - Ln(III) energy transfer for the Tb(III) complex, and the ligand is an efficient 'antenna' for Tb(III). From a more general perspective, the results demonstrated the potential application of the lanthanide complex as luminescent materials in material chemistry.

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