Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals
Published on: April 14, 2020
One-Pot Synthesis, Structure, and Unusual Luminescence of Novel One-Dimensional Lanthanide(III) Tetramethoxyborates
Alison S. Gajadhar-Plummer1, Ishenkumba A. Kahwa, Andrew J. P. White
1Chemistry Department, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica, and Chemistry Department, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, South Kensington, London SW7 2AY, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Detailed studies of formation, structure, and luminescence characteristics of novel ionically linked sinusoidal chains of [{Na}{(sal)(3)Ln(B(OCH(3))(4))Ln(sal)(3)}](n)() [Ln = Nd, Sm, Tb-Lu, Y (4); Ln = Eu (5); Ln = Gd (6)] was undertaken to assess the versatility of tetramethoxyborate anions as consistent general synthons for one-dimensional materials. Crystal data for [{Na}{(sal)(3)Nd(B(OCH(3))(4))Nd(sal)(3)}](n)() [4(Ln = Nd)]: monoclinic; space group, C2/c (15), a = 20.884(2) Å, b = 12.454(1) Å, c = 37.663(5) Å, beta = 102.09(2) degrees, Z = 8; [{Na}{(sal)(3)Eu(B(O CH(3))(4))Eu(sal)(3)}](n)() (5): monoclinic; space group, C2/c (15), a = 20.846(2) Å, b = 12.460(1) Å, c = 37.365(4) Å, beta = 102.17(1) degrees, Z = 8. Europium luminescence from [{Na}{(sal)(3)Ln(1)(-)(x)()Eu(x)()(B(OCH(3))(4))Ln(1)(-)(x)()Eu(x)()(sal)(3)}](n)() [Ln = Eu (5); Gd (7-11), Y (12), Dy (13-18), Dy/Gd (19)] reveals the presence of defect Eu(3+) sites, possibly resulting from swapping regular Eu(3+) and Na(+) positions. Strong Eu(3+)-Eu(3+) electronic interactions result in multidimensional energy migration and a dynamic excitation energy-transport regime. Efficient thermally activated regular Eu(3+)-to-defect Eu(3+) back-energy transfer dominates at 297 K.
Related Concept Videos
Exceptions to the Octet Rule
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Valence Bond Theory
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

