Novel salicyloylhydrazone derivatives and corresponding terbium(III) complexes: Synthesis and properties research

Four novel salicyloylhydrazone derivatives and their terbium(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The thermal analysis results showed that the terbium(III) complexes possessed good thermal stability. The fluorescence research results showed that the terbium(III) complex substituted by phenyl possessed the best fluorescence intensity among them, and its fluorescence quantum yield was also the highest. The exploration of the electrochemical properties indicated that the introduction of electron-donating groups to the ligand can increase the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels and decrease the oxidation potential of the corresponding terbium(III) complexes. The introduction of electron-withdrawing groups to the ligand can reduce their HOMO energy levels and increase their oxidation potential. The results showed that the terbium(III) complexes are good candidates for luminescent material.