Dimeric and polymeric [Eu(tta)3L] complexes (tta = thenoyltrifluoroacetonato, L = 4,4′-bipyridine, trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide)

The reaction of Eu(tta)3 (tta = thenoyltrifluoroacetonato) with 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy), trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bipyete), and 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′- dioxide (bipyo) yielded three distinct complexes [Eu(tta)3(bipy)(H2O)] (1), [Eu(tta)3(bipyete)(CH3OH)]&middotCH3 OH&middotbipyete (2), and [Eu(tta)3(bipyo)]&middotCH3OH (3), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 have a hydrogen-bond linked dimer structure, while 3 has a one-dimensional chain structure linked by coordination bonds, which further forms two-dimensional arrays, resulting in an intercalation lattice that hosts methanol guest molecules. In solution compounds 1 and 2 emit a red color, characteristic of Eu(III), when irradiated by UV light, while compound 3 has no emission either in solution or the solid state.