Design, synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical studies of an emissive, terbium based sensor for zinc

The synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical studies of the probe complex Tb · L are described. Tb · L is a mononuclear complex with a 46-membered macrocyclic rings constructed by intermolecular hydrogen bond. The mononuclear complex Tb · L shows Laporte-forbidden 5D4 → 7FJ f–f transitions and exhibits strong green luminescence emission bands in the solid state at ambient temperature which is characteristic of terbium ion. New selective luminescent lanthanide chemosensor for Zn(II) ion based on Tb · L is also described, suggesting host–guest complexation signaling transduction mechanism.