Improvement of stability and luminescence properties in water of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes photosensitized by a bipyridine antenna

The convenient synthesis of a new macrocyclic octadentate chelate based on 2,2′-bipyridine chromophore and diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid core is described. In aqueous solutions, the corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) neutral complexes are kinetically inert and show very bright luminescence when excited with UV radiation (Φ=11 and 25% respectively). We also report the potentiality of these complexes to act as donors in delayed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (DEFRET).