Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of asymmetrical europium(III) complexes involving carbazole, phenanthroline and bathophenanthroline units

Three novel europium complexes, Eu(CCHPD)3Phen = Tris[1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-[(6-(9H- carbazol-9-yl)hexoxy)-phenyl]-1,3-dione](1,10-phenanthroline) europium(III), Eu(CCHPD)3Bath = Tris[1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-[(6-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)hexoxy)-phenyl]-1,3-dione](bathophenanthroline) europium(III) and Eu(CPD)3Phen = Tris[1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenylpropane]-1,3-dione](1,10-phenanthroline) europium(III), have been synthesized and characterized (Scheme 1). Involved ligands consist of different chelating and non-chelating units: appended carbazole (Br-Carb), phenanthroline (Phen), bathophenanthroline (Bath) and 1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenylpropane]-1,3-dione (CPD). The luminescence properties show that the carbazole moiety is a better sensitizer for the metal centred (MC) emitting states relative to Phen and Bath. Moreover, its charge-transporting properties make such complexes appealing for their application in electroluminescent devices.