Synthesis and properties of salicyladehyde salicyhydrazone derivatives and their europium complexes.

Four novel salicyladehyde salicyhydrazone derivatives and their corresponding europium (Eu(3+)) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The formulas of the complexes were [EuL(a-d)(NO3)2](NO3) · H2O. The investigatoin of fluoresence properties of the Eu(3+) complexes showed that the salicyladehyde salicyhydrazone derivatives were efficient sensitizers for the fluoresence of Eu(3+) ions. The fluorescence intensity of the complex substituted by methyl (-CH3) was the strongest among all the Eu(3+) complexes. The exploration of the electrochemical properties of the Eu(3+) complexes showed that the introduction of electron-donating groups methyl and methoxyl (-CH3 and -OCH3) could increase the oxidation potential and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level of the Eu(3+) complex; however, the results of introduction of electron-withdrawing group were just opposite.