POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR THE USE OF LANTHANIDE COMPLEXES AS LUMINESCENT BIOLABELS

Computational insight into a mechanistic overview of water exchange kinetics and thermodynamic stabilities of bis and tris-aquated complexes of lanthanides

A thorough investigation of Ln³⁺ complexes with more than one inner-sphere water molecule is crucial for designing high relaxivity contrast agents (CAs) used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study accomplished a comparative stability analysis of two hexadentate (H₃cbda and H₃dpaa) and two heptadentate (H₄peada and H₃tpaa) ligands with Ln³⁺ ions. The higher stability of the hexadentate H₃cbda and heptadentate H₄peada ligands has been confirmed by the binding affinity and Gibbs free energy analysis in aqueous solution. In addition, energy decomposition analysis (EDA) reveals the higher binding affinity of the peada^4- ligand than the cbda^3- ligand towards Ln³⁺ ions due to the higher charge density of the peada^4- ligand. Moreover, a mechanistic overview of water exchange kinetics has been carried out based on the strength of the metal-water bond. The strength of the metal-water bond follows the trend Gd-O47 (w) > Gd-O39 (w) > Gd-O36 (w) in the case of the tris-aquated [Gd(cbda)(H₂O)₃] and Gd-O43 (w) > Gd-O40 (w) for the bis-aquated [Gd(peada)(H₂O)₂]^- complex, which was confirmed by bond length, electron density (ρ), and electron localization function (ELF) at the corresponding bond critical points. Our analysis also predicts that the activation energy barrier decreases with the decrease in bond strength; hence k _ex increases. The ¹⁷O and ¹H hyperfine coupling constant values of all the coordinated water molecules were different, calculated by using the second-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH2) approach. Furthermore, the ionic nature of the bonding in the metal-ligand (M-L) bond was confirmed by the Quantum Theory of Atoms-In-Molecules (QTAIM) and ELF along with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). We hope that the results can be used as a basis for the design of highly efficient Gd(iii)-based high relaxivity MRI contrast agents for medical applications.

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of two series of phenoxo-O bridged dinuclear Ln2 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes

Different solvent molecules as ligands in the molecular structures of the dinuclear Ln(iii) Schiff base complexes (Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy) influenced the magnetic properties of the Dy(iii) derivatives.

Surface-based molecular self-assembly: Langmuir-Blodgett films of amphiphilic Ln(III) complexes

The unique photophysical properties of the Ln(III) series has led to significant research efforts being directed towards their application in sensors. However, for “real-life” applications, these sensors should ideally be immobilised onto surfaces without loss of function. The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique offers a promising method in which to achieve such immobilisation. This mini-review focuses on synthetic strategies for film formation, the effect that film formation has on the physical properties of the Ln(III) amphiphile, and concludes with examples of Ln(III) LB films being used as sensors.

New NIR-emissive tetranuclear Er(iii) complexes with 4-hydroxo-2,1,3-benzothiadiazolate and dibenzoylmethanide ligands: synthesis and characterization

Two new Er complexes were prepared and studied.

Bimodal magnetic-fluorescent probes for bioimaging

Fluorescent optical probes have been intensively used in the area of bio-imaging. In this review article, we describe the recent advancements in the synthesis and application of bimodal magnetic-fluorescent probes for bioimaging. The bimodal probes consist of fluorescent [semiconducting quantum dots (e.g., CdSe/ZnS) or rare-earth doped (e.g., NaYF(4) :Yb,Er)] nanoparticles (NPs) and magnetic (iron oxide or gadolinium based) NPs for optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Ligand-field excited states of hexacyanochromate and hexacyanocobaltate as sensitisers for near-infrared luminescence from Nd(iii) and Yb(iii) in cyanide-bridged d-f assemblies

Crystallisation of [Co(CN)(6)](3-) or [Cr(CN)(6)](3-) with Ln(iii) salts (Ln = Nd, Gd, Yb) from aqueous dmf afforded the cyanide-bridged d/f systems [Ln(dmf)(4)(H(2)O)(3)(micro-CN)Co(CN)(5)] (-, discrete dinuclear species) and {[Cr(CN)(4)(micro-CN)(2)Ln(H(2)O)(2)(dmf)(4)]}(infinity) (-, infinite cyanide-bridged chains with alternating Cr and Ln centres). With Ln = Gd the characteristic long-lived phosphorescence from d-d excited states of the [M(CN)(6)](3-) units was apparent in the red region of the spectrum, with lifetimes of the order of 1 micros, since the heavy atom effect of the Gd(iii) promotes inter-system crossing at the [M(CN)(6)](3-) units to generate the phosphorescent spin-forbidden excited states. With Ln = Yb or Nd however, the d-block luminescence was completely quenched due to fast (>10(8) s(-1)) energy-transfer to the Ln(iii) centre, resulting in the characteristic sensitised emission from Yb(iii) and Nd(iii) in the near-IR region. For both - and -, calculations based on spectroscopic overlap between emission of the donor (Co) and absorption of the acceptor (Ln) suggest that the Dexter energy-transfer mechanism is responsible for the complete quenching that we observe.

Highly Efficient Blue Photoexcitation of Europium in a Bimetallic Pt–Eu Complex

We report the preparation and characterization of dinuclear Pt-Ln complexes constructed from a square-planar Pt(II) core bearing an ethynyl-terpyridine residue connected to platinum by the ethynyl bond. Complexation of the neutral Eu(hfac)3 (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) fragment to free terpyridine (terpy) gives a stable bimetallic complex (log beta = 6.7). In the crystal structure, the flat Pt[triple bond]terpy core coordinates to Eu(III), which is nonacoordinated with the three nitrogen atoms of the terpy subunit and six oxygen atoms of the three hfac ligands. These atoms form a distorted monocapped square antiprism with a pseudo-C2 symmetry axis passing through the nitrogen atom of the central pyridine ring and the Eu atom. Spectroscopic measurements showed that irradiation with visible light of wavelength up to 460 nm in the 1MLCT state of the Pt subunit resulted in a quantitative energy transfer to the Eu center, which strongly luminesces in the red with an overall luminescence quantum yield of 38%. The energy-transfer process is quantitative and not sensitive to oxygen, and the complexation of Eu to the Pt metallosynthon allows the recovery of the energy lost due to triplet-oxygen quenching of the 3MLCT state observed in the uncomplexed Pt precursor.

Luminescent Pt(II)(bipyridyl)(diacetylide) chromophores with pendant binding sites as energy donors for sensitised near-infrared emission from lanthanides: structures and photophysics of Pt(II)/Ln(III) assemblies

The complexes [Pt(bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (1) and [Pt(tBu(2)bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (2) and [Pt(tBu(2)-bipy)(CC-phen)(2)] (3) all contain a Pt(bipy)(diacetylide) core with pendant 4-pyridyl (1 and 2) or phenanthroline (3) units which can be coordinated to {Ln(diketonate)(3)} fragments (Ln = a lanthanide) to make covalently-linked Pt(II)/Ln(III) polynuclear assemblies in which the Pt(II) chromophore, absorbing in the visible region, can be used to sensitise near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) centres. For 1 and 2 one-dimensional coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) are formed, whereas 3 forms trinuclear adducts [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] (tta=anion of thenoyl-trifluoroacetone; hfac=anion of hexafluoroacetylacetone). Complexes 1-3 show typical Pt(II)-based (3)MLCT luminescence in solution at approximately 510 nm, but in the coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) the presence of stacked pairs of Pt(II) units with short PtPt distances means that the chromophores have (3)MMLCT character and emit at lower energy ( approximately 630 nm). Photophysical studies in solution and in the solid state show that the (3)MMLCT luminescence in [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) in the solid state, and the (3)MLCT emission of [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] in solution and the solid state, is quenched by Pt-->Ln energy transfer when the lanthanide has low-energy f-f excited states which can act as energy acceptors (Ln=Yb, Nd, Er, Pr). This results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) units. The extent of quenching of the Pt(II)-based emission, and the Pt-->Ln energy-transfer rates, can vary over a wide range according to how effective each Ln(III) ion is at acting as an energy acceptor, with Yb(III) usually providing the least quenching (slowest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) and either Nd(III) or Er(III) providing the most (fastest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) according to which one has the best overlap of its f-f absorption manifold with the Pt(II)-based luminescence.

Polynuclear lanthanide complexes of a series of bridging ligands containing two tridentate N,N′,O-donor units: structures and luminescence properties

A set of three potentially bridging ligands containing two tridentate chelating N,N',O-donor (pyrazole-pyridine-amide) donors separated by an o, m, or p-phenylene spacer has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with lanthanide(III) ions investigated. Ligand L(1) (p-phenylene spacer) forms complexes with a 2:3 M:L ratio according to the proportions used in the reaction mixture; the Ln(2)(L(1))(3) complexes contain two 9-coordinate Ln(III) centres with all three bridging ligands spanning both metal ions, and have a cylindrical (non-helical) 'mesocate' architecture. The 1:1 complexes display a range of structural types depending on the conditions used, including a cyclic Ln(4)(L(1))(4) tetranuclear helicate, a Ln(2)(L(1))(2) dinuclear mesocate, and an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer in which metal ions and bridging ligands alternate along the sequence. ESMS studies indicate that the 1:1 complexes form a mixture of oligonuclear species {Ln(L(1))}(n) in solution (n up to 5) which are likely to be cyclic helicates. In contrast, ligands L(2) and L(3) (with o- and m-phenylene spacers, respectively) generally form dinuclear Ln(2)L(2) Ln(III) complexes in which the two ligands may be arranged in a helical or non-helical architecture about the two metal ions. These complexes also contain an additional exogenous bidentate bridging ligand, either acetate or formate, which has arisen from hydrolysis of solvent molecules promoted by the Lewis-acidity of the Ln(III) ions. Luminescence studies on some of the Nd(III) complexes showed that excitation into ligand-centred pi-pi* transitions result in the characteristic near-infrared luminescence from Nd(III) at 1060 nm.

Anthracene as a sensitiser for near-infrared luminescence in complexes of Nd(iii), Er(iii) and Yb(iii): an unexpected sensitisation mechanism based on electron transfer

The ligand L(1), which contains a chelating 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PB) unit with a pendant anthacenyl group An connected via a methylene spacer, (L(1) = PB-An), was used to prepare the 8-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) which have been structurally characterised and all have a square antiprismatic N(2)O(6) coordination geometry. Whereas free L(1) displays typical anthracene-based fluorescence, this fluorescence is completely quenched in its complexes. The An group in L(1) acts as an antenna unit: in the complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb) selective excitation of the anthracene results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the lanthanide centres with concomitant quenching of An fluorescence. Surprisingly, the anthracene fluorescence is also quenched even in the Gd(III) complex and in its Zn(II) adduct in which quenching via energy transfer to the metal centre is not possible. It is proposed that the quenching of anthracene fluorescence in coordinated L(1) arises due to intra-ligand photoinduced electron-transfer from the excited anthracene chromophore (1)An* to the coordinated PB unit generating a short-lived charge-separated state [An(.+)-PB(.-)] which collapses by back electron-transfer to give (3)An*. This electron-transfer step is only possible upon coordination of L(1) to the metal centre, which strongly increases the electron acceptor capability of the PB unit, such that (1)An* --> PB PET is endoergonic in free L(1) but exergonic in its complexes. Thus, rather than a conventional set of steps ((1)An* -->(3)An* --> Ln), the sensitization mechanism now includes (1)An* --> PB photoinduced electron transfer to generate charge-separated [An(.+)-PB(.-)], then back electron-transfer to generate (3)An* which finally sensitises the Ln(III) centre via energy transfer. The presence of (3)An* in L(1) and its complexes is confirmed by nanosecond transient absorption studies, which have also shown that the (3)An* lifetime in the Nd(III) complex matches the rise time of Nd-centred near-infrared emission, confirming that the final step of the sequence is (3)An* --> Ln(III) energy-transfer.

Dicopper(II) complexes of a new pyrazolate-containing Schiff-base macrocycle and related acyclic ligand

Dicopper(II) complexes of two new 3,5-disubstituted-pyrazole-based ligands, bis(quadridentate) macrocyclic ligand (L1)(2-) and bis(terdentate) acyclic ligand (L2)(-), were synthesised by Schiff base condensation of 3,5-diformylpyrazole and either one equivalent of 1,3-diaminopropane or two equivalents of 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine in the presence of one or two equivalents of copper(II) ions, respectively. Copper(II) acetate monohydrate was employed in the synthesis of [Cu(2)(L1)(OAc)(2)], [Cu(2)(L2)(H(2)O)(2)(OAc)(3)] and [Cu(II)(2)(L1)(NCS)(2)]; in the last of these one equivalent of NaNCS per copper(II) ion was also added. The fourth complex, [Cu(2)(L2)(NCS)(2)(DMF)]BF(4), was prepared using copper(II) tetrafluoroborate hexahydrate, along with two equivalents of NaOH and six of NaSCN. All four of these dimetallic complexes have been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction: the two macrocyclic complexes are the first such Schiff base complexes to be so characterised. A feature common to all four of the structures is bridging of the two copper(II) centres by the pyrazolate moiety/moieties. The structure determinations show that the coordination mode of the acetate groups in both [Cu(2)(L1)(OAc)(2)].2MeOH.H(2)O and [Cu(2)(L2)(H(2)O)(2)(OAc)(3)] is unidentate as had been tentatively predicted by analysis of the infrared spectra (DeltaOCO of 199 and 208 cm(-1), respectively). The magnetochemical studies of the macrocyclic complexes, over the temperature range 4-300 K, revealed strong antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -169 and -213 cm(-1) for [Cu(2)(L1)(OAc)(2)].2H(2)O and [Cu(II)(2)(L1)(NCS)(2)].DMF respectively. The J values have been discussed in relation to a published correlation involving the CuN(pyrazolate)N(pyrazolate) angles.

A dual lanthanide probe suitable for optical (Tb3+ luminescence) and magnetic resonance imaging (Gd3+ relaxometry)

A new polyaminocarboxylate ligand derived from N,C-pyrazolylpyridine was synthesized. The luminescence and relaxometry properties of its Tb(3+) and Gd(3+) chelates were investigated in aqueous solutions. The Tb(3+) chelate is strongly luminescent having remarkable lifetime and quantum yield (tau=1.82ms and Phi=0.42). The 1/T(1) proton relaxivity at 20MHz and 25 degrees C (5.3s(-1)mM(-1)) of the Gd(3+) chelate was found to be comparable to that of the clinically used Gd-DTPA.

Structural and Photophysical Properties of Coordination Networks Combining [Ru(Bpym)(CN)4]2- or [{Ru(CN)4}2(μ-bpym)]4- Anions (bpym = 2,2‘-Bipyrimidine) with Lanthanide(III) Cations: Sensitized Near-Infrared Luminescence from Yb(III), Nd(III), and Er(III) Following Ru-to-Lanthanide Energy Transfer

Reaction of the cyanoruthenate anions [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2- and [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)]4- (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) with lanthanide(III) salts resulted in the crystallization of coordination networks based on Ru-CN-Ln bridges. Four types of structure were obtained: [Ru(bpym)(CN)4][Ln(NO3)(H2O)5] (Ru-Ln; Ln = Sm, Nd, and Gd) are one-dimensional helical chains; [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2[Ln(NO3)(H2O)2][Ln(NO3)(0.5)(H2O)(5.5)](NO3)(0.5).5.5H2O (Ru-Ln; Ln = Er and Yb) are two-dimensional sheets containing cross-linked chains based on Ru2Ln2(mu-CN)4 diamond units, which are linked into one-dimensional chains via shared Ru atoms; [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)][Ln(NO3)(H2O)5]2.3H2O (Ru2-Ln; Ln = Nd and Sm) are one-dimensional ladders with parallel Ln-NC-Ru-CN-Ln-NC strands connected by the bipyrimidine "cross pieces" acting as rungs on the ladder; and [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)][Ln(H2O)6](0.5)[Ln(H2O)4](NO3)(0.5).nH2O (Ru2-Ln; Ln = Eu, Gd, and Yb; n = 8.5, 8.5, and 8, respectively) are three-dimensional networks in which two-dimensional sheets of Ru2Ln2(mu-CN)4 diamonds are connected via cyanide bridges to Ln(III) ions between the layers. Whereas Ru-Gd shows weak triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) luminescence in the solid state from the Ru-bipyrimidine chromophore, in Ru-Nd, Ru-Er, and Ru-Yb, the Ru-based emission is quenched, and all of these show, instead, sensitized lanthanide-based near-IR luminescence following a Ru --> Ln energy transfer. Similarly, Ru2-Nd and Ru2-Yb show lanthanide-based near-IR emission following excitation of the Ru-bipyrimidine chromophore. Time-resolved luminescence measurements suggest that the Ru --> Ln energy-transfer rate is faster (when Ln = Yb and Er) than in related complexes based on the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- chromophore, because the lower energy of the Ru-bpym 3MLCT provides better spectroscopic overlap with the low-energy f-f states of Yb(III) and Er(III). In every case, the lanthanide-based luminescence is relatively short-lived as a result of the CN oscillations in the lattice.