Synthesis and cofluorescence of Eu(Y) complexes with salicylic acid and o-phenanthroline

A series of dinuclear complexes of salicylic acid (HSal) and o-phenanthroline (Phen) with different molar ratios of Eu3+ to Y3+ have been synthesized. Their compositions are Eu(x)Y(1-x) (Sal)3(Phen) (x = 0 to approximately 1). Their UV spectra, IR spectra, and fluorescence spectra were studied. The UV spectra of the complexes reflect essentially absorption of the ligands for the fact that no obvious change of wavelength and band shape is found between the spectra of the complexes and that of the ligands except slight red shift. The IR absorption spectra indicate that salicylic acid is coordinated to the rare earth ions and chemical bonds are formed between rare earth ions and nitrogen atoms of o-phenanthroline. The fluorescence spectra of the complexes indicate that the fluorescence emission intensity of europium ion was enhanced by the addition of Y3+, which is referred to as cofluorescence. These facts show that not only the ligands but also the yttrium complex can transfer the absorbed energy to Eu3+ ion in the complexes. Formation of polynuclear complexes appears to be responsible for cofluorescence.