Study of the energy transfer process in the highly luminescent heterometallic dimers of Ce3+ and d10 [Ag(CN)2]− or d8 [Pt(CN)4]2− ions

The interactions between trivalent Ce3+ ions with d10 [Ag(CN)2]− and d8 [Pt(CN)4]2− ions in acetonitrile solutions has been studied by luminescence, ATR-FTIR, UV–vis spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Addition of d8 or d10 cyano complexes to Ce3+ ions in acetonitrile gives strongly emissive solutions, suggesting the presence of new highly luminescent mixed-metal species. The great variability of the cyano compound MLCT excited state energies allow a tunability of the donor–acceptor resonance process. This results in selectivity of the emissive center and of the luminescence enhancement ability of the heterodimer.