Fluorescence and co-fluorescence of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) in acetonitrile using 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid as ligand.

Fluorescence from Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexed with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) has been studied using acetonitrile (MeCN) as solvent. The enhancement in fluorescence intensity because of non-aqueous environment provided by the MeCN is less significant, where as fluorescence enhancement of more than two orders of magnitude has been observed with the addition of La(3+); a process known as co-fluorescence in MeCN. The present study demonstrates for the first time co-fluorescence of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) with excitation through the absorption of PDA. Intermolecular energy transfer is believed to be responsible for co-fluorescence enhancement and it becomes possible as the quenching due to water at the secondary coordination spheres of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) is reduced when MeCN is used as solvent.