Self-assembly formation of a healable lanthanide luminescent supramolecular metallogel from 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligands.

The synthesis of five new 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligands is described: the self-assembly behaviour of the tri-methyl ester, 1, with Eu(III) showed the formation of a luminescent 1:3 Eu : btp complex, Eu13, which was studied in solution and in the solid state; while the tri-carboxylic acid, 2, formed a hydrogel and its corresponding complex Eu23, gave rise to a strongly red luminescent healable metallogel.