The series of rare earth complexes [Ln2Cl6 (μ-4,4'-bipy)(py)6], Ln=Y, Pr, Nd, Sm-Yb: a molecular model system for luminescence properties in MOFs based on LnCl3 and 4,4'-bipyridine.

A series of 12 dinuclear complexes [Ln2Cl6(μ-4,4'-bipy)(py)6], Ln=Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, (1-12, respectively) was synthesized by an anhydrous solvothermal reaction in pyridine. The complexes contain a 4,4'-bipyridine bridge and exhibit a coordination sphere closely related to luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on LnCl3 and 4,4-bipyridine. The dinuclear complexes therefore function as a molecular model system to provide a better understanding of the luminescence mechanisms in the Ln-N-MOFs (∞)(2)[Ln2Cl6(4,4'-bipy)3]·2(4,4'-bipy). Accordingly, the luminescence properties of the complexes with Ln=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, (1, 4-8) were determined, showing an antenna effect through a ligand-metal energy transfer. The highest efficiency of luminescence is observed for the terbium-based compound 7 displaying a high quantum yield (QY of 86%). Excitation with UV light reveals typical emission colors of lanthanide-dependent intra 4f-4f-transition emissions in the visible range (Tb(III) : green, Eu(III) : red, Sm(III) : salmon red, Dy(III) : yellow). For the Gd(III)- and Y(III)-containing compounds 6 and 1, blue emission based on triplet phosphorescence is observed. Furthermore, ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) states, based on the interaction of Cl(-) with Eu(III), were observed for the Eu(III) compound 5 including energy-transfer processes to the Eu(III) ion. Altogether, the model complexes give further insights into the luminescence of the related MOFs, for example, rationalization of Ln-independent quantum yields in the related MOFs.