Divalent Europium, NIR and Variable Emission of Trivalent Tm, Ho, Pr, Er, Nd, and Ce in 3D Frameworks and 2D Networks of Ln–Pyridylpyrazolates

Abstract

The redox reactions of various lanthanide metals with 3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazole (4-PyPzH) or 3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazole (3-PyPzH) ligands yield the 2D network 2∞[Eu(4-PyPz)2(Py)2] containing divalent europium, the 3D frameworks 3∞[Ln(4-PyPz)3] and 3∞[Ln(3-PyPz)3] for trivalent cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, holmium, erbium, and thulium as well as 3∞[La(4-PyPz)3], and the 2D networks 2∞[Ln(4-PyPz)3(Py)] for trivalent cerium and thulium and 2∞[Ln2(4-PyPz)6]·Py for trivalent ytterbium and lutetium. The 18 lanthanide coordination polymers were synthesized under solvothermal conditions in pyridine (Py), partly acting as a co-ligand for some networks. The compounds exhibit a variety of luminescence properties, including metal-centered 4f–4f/5d–4f emission in the visible and near-infrared spectral range, metal-to-ligand energy transfer, and ligand-centered fluorescence and phosphorescence. The anionic ligands 3-PyPz− and 4-PyPz− serve as suitable antennas for lanthanide-based luminescence in the visible and near-infrared range through effective sensitization followed by emission through intra–4f transitions of the trivalent thulium, holmium, praseodymium, erbium, and neodymium. 2∞[Ce(4-PyPz)3(Py)], 3∞[Ce(4-PyPz)3], and 3∞[Ce(3-PyPz)3] exhibit strong degrees of reduction in the 5d excited states that differ in intensity compared to the ligand-based emission, resulting in a distinct emission ranging from pink to orange. The direct current magnetic studies show magnetic isolation of the lanthanide centers in the crystal lattice of 3∞[Ln(3-PyPz)3], Ln = Dy, Ho, and Er.