Kinetic study of thermal decomposition of new Eu(III), Tb(III) and Gd(III) complexes with beta-diketone ligands and 4,4-diphenyl-2,2-dipyridyl, chloride of 1,10-phenantrolinium

Complexes of general formula [Eu(fod)(3)center dot L], [Tb(fod)(3)center dot L] and [Gd(fod)(3)center dot L] (where fod = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octadionate; L = 4,4-diphenyl-2,2-dipyridyl or/and chloride of 1,10-phenantrolinium) were synthesized by reacting the corresponding salt of terbium and gadolinium with beta-diketone(fod) and other ligands, and the precursor Eu(fod)(3)center dot 2H(2)O with diphenylbipy and phenCl ligands. The thermal decomposition of these complexes along with description of some emitting materials is discussed in details. We focused on those complexes emitting in the visible region, which can be used in lighting industry (e.g., for the preparation of photo- and electro-luminescent devices) and for biological immunoassays. The thermal decompositions of Eu(fod)(3)center dot L, Tb(fod)(3)center dot L and Gd(fod)(3)center dot L are best described by R-2 and R-3 kinetic models. Some selected results of our work concerning the synthesis of highly luminescent complexes for application in lighting and light conversion technologies are reported. Such materials have been obtained by combining the peculiar luminescence properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ antenna complexes with beta-diketone (fod). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.