Deciphering and quantifying linear light upconversion in molecular erbium complexes

Distortion Engineering: A Strategy to Modulate Molecular Upconversion with Molecular Cluster-Aggregates

The rational engineering of molecules is a powerful chemistry tool of pivotal importance in the fields of molecular magnetism and luminescence. Hence, systems that can be modulated via molecular engineering and composition control are expected to present extra versatility regarding the tunability of their properties. This is the case with molecular cluster aggregates (MCAs), high nuclearity molecular compounds. Herein, we demonstrate how the union of both strategies, namely, composition control and molecular engineering, can be employed to enhance molecular upconversion in MCAs. This was achieved by doping a {Gd8Er2Yb10} MCA with CeIII ions. By replacement of the optically silent GdIII ions with CeIII, the upconversion mechanism is modified due to CeIII-mediated cross-relaxation. In addition to this effect, we could also engineer the degree of metal site distortion due to the larger size of CeIII ions, relaxing the selection rules and impacting the upconversion quantum yield and luminescent thermometry. Opto-structural correlations demonstrate that the presented molecular engineering strategy can be used to enhance the performance of molecular upconverters.

Optical Upconversion in Mononuclear Lanthanide Co-Crystal Assemblies

In this work, we developed two kinds of co-crystal assemblies systems, consisting of discrete mononuclear Yb3+ and Er3+ and mononuclear Yb3+ and Pr3+, which can achieve Er3+ and Pr3+ upconversion luminescence, respectively, by Yb3+ sensitization under 980 nm excitation. The structure and composition of two co-crystal assemblies were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. By investigation of the series of two assemblies, respectively, it is found that the strongest upconversion luminescence is both obtained when the molar ratio of Yb3+ and Ln3+ (Ln=Er or Pr) is 1 : 1. The energy transfer mechanism of Er3+ assemblies is determined as energy transfer upconversion, while that of Pr3+ assemblies is determined as energy transfer upconversion and cooperative sensitization upconversion. This is the first example of Pr3+ upconversion luminescence at the molecular dimension at room temperature, which enriches the research in the field of upconversion luminescence with lanthanide complexes.

Yb-to-Eu Cooperative Sensitization Upconversion in a Multifunctional Molecular Nonanuclear Lanthanide Cluster in Solution

Lanthanide metal clusters excel in combining molecular and material chemistry properties. Here, we report an efficient cooperative sensitization UC phenomenon of a Eu3+/Yb3+ nonanuclear lanthanide cluster in CD3OD. The synthesis and characterization of the heteronuclear cluster in the solid state and solution are described together with the UC phenomenon showing Eu3+ luminescence in the visible region upon 980 nm NIR excitation of Yb3+ at concentrations as low as 100 nM. Alongside being the Eu/Yb cluster to display UC (with a quantum yield value of 4.88 × 10-8 upon 1.13 W cm-2 excitation at 980 nm), the cluster exhibits downshifted light emission of Yb3+ in the NIR region upon 578 nm visible excitation of Eu3+, which is ascribed to sensitization pathways for Yb through the 5D0 energy levels of Eu3+. Additionally, a faint emission is also observed at ca. 500 nm upon 980 nm excitation, originating from the cooperative luminescence of Yb3+. The [Eu8Yb(BA)16(OH)10]Cl cluster (BA = benzoylacetonate) is also a field-induced single-molecular magnet (SMM) under 4K with a modest Ueff/kB of 8.48 K, thereby joining the coveted list of Yb-SMMs and emerging as a prototype system for next-generation devices, combining luminescence with single-molecular magnetism in a molecular cluster.

Upconverting photons at the molecular scale with lanthanide complexes

In this perspective, we summarise the major milestones to date in the field of molecular upconversion (UC) with lanthanide based coordination complexes. This begins from the leap firstly from solid-state to nanoparticular regimes, and further down the scale to the molecular domain. We explain the mechanistic intricacies of each differing way of generating upconverted photons, critiquing them and outlining our views on the benefits and limitations of each process, also offering our perspective and opinion on where these new molecular UC edifices will take us. This nascent area is already rapidly expanding and improving, having increased in luminance efficiency by more than four orders of magnitude in the last decade: we conclude that the future is bright for molecular UC.

Symmetry and Rigidity for Boosting Erbium-Based Molecular Light-Upconversion in Solution

Previously limited to highly symmetrical homoleptic triple-helical complexes [Er(Lk)3 ]3+ , where Lk are polyaromatic tridentate ligands, single-center molecular-based upconversion using linear optics and exploiting the excited-state absorption mechanism (ESA) greatly benefits from the design of stable and low-symmetrical [LkEr(hfa)3 ] heteroleptic adducts (hfa- =hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion). Depending on (i) the extended π-electron delocalization, (ii) the flexibility and (iii) the heavy atom effect brought by the bound ligand Lk, the near-infrared (801 nm) to visible green (542 nm) upconversion quantum yield measured for [LkEr(hfa)3 ] in solution at room temperature can be boosted by up to three orders of magnitude.

Excited-Multimer Mediated Supramolecular Upconversion on Multicomponent Lanthanide-Organic Assemblies

Upconversion (UC) is a fascinating anti-Stokes-like optical process with promising applications in diverse fields. However, known UC mechanisms are mainly based on direct energy transfer between metal ions, which constrains the designability and tunability of the structures and properties. Here, we synthesize two types of Ln8L12-type (Ln for lanthanide ion; L for organic ligand L1 or L2R/S) lanthanide-organic complexes with assembly induced excited-multimer states. The Yb8(L2R/S)12 assembly exhibits upconverted multimer green fluorescence under 980 nm excitation through a cooperative sensitization process. Furthermore, upconverted red emission from Eu3+ on the heterometallic (Yb/Eu)8L12 assemblies is also realized via excited-multimer mediated energy relay. Our findings demonstrate a new strategy for designing UC materials, which is crucial for exploiting photofunctions of multicomponent lanthanide-organic complexes.

Recent Progress in Photonic Upconversion Materials for Organic Lanthanide Complexes

Organic lanthanide complexes have garnered significant attention in various fields due to their intriguing energy transfer mechanism, enabling the upconversion (UC) of two or more low-energy photons into high-energy photons. In comparison to lanthanide-doped inorganic nanoparticles, organic UC complexes hold great promise for biological delivery applications due to their advantageous properties of controllable size and composition. This review aims to provide a summary of the fundamental concept and recent developments of organic lanthanide-based UC materials based on different mechanisms. Furthermore, we also detail recent applications in the fields of bioimaging and solar cells. The developments and forthcoming challenges in organic lanthanide-based UC offer readers valuable insights and opportunities to engage in further research endeavors.

Lanthanide molecular cluster-aggregates as the next generation of optical materials

In this perspective, we provide an overview of the recent achievements in luminescent lanthanide-based molecular cluster-aggregates (MCAs) and illustrate why MCAs can be seen as the next generation of highly efficient optical materials. MCAs are high nuclearity compounds composed of rigid multinuclear metal cores encapsulated by organic ligands. The combination of high nuclearity and molecular structure makes MCAs an ideal class of compounds that can unify the properties of traditional nanoparticles and small molecules. By bridging the gap between both domains, MCAs intrinsically retain unique features with tremendous impacts on their optical properties. Although homometallic luminescent MCAs have been extensively studied since the late 1990s, it was only recently that heterometallic luminescent MCAs were pioneered as tunable luminescent materials. These heterometallic systems have shown tremendous impacts in areas such as anti-counterfeiting materials, luminescent thermometry, and molecular upconversion, thus representing a new generation of lanthanide-based optical materials.

Seeking Brightness in Molecular Erbium-Based Light Upconversion

Whereas dye-sensitized lanthanide-doped nanoparticles represent an unquestionable advance for pushing linear near-infrared (NIR) to visible-light upconversion within the frame of applications, analogous improvements are difficult to mimic for related but intramolecular processes induced at the molecular level in coordination complexes. Major difficulties arise from the cationic nature of the target cyanine-containing sensitizers (S), which drastically limits their thermodynamic affinities for catching the lanthanide activators (A) required for performing linear light upconversion. In this context, the rare previous design of stable dye-containing molecular SA light-upconverters required large S···A distances at the cost of the operation of only poorly efficient intramolecular S → A energy transfers and global sensitization. With the synthesis of the compact ligand [L2]⁺, we exploit here the benefit of using a single sulfur connector between the dye and the binding unit for counterbalancing the drastic electrostatic penalty which is expected to prevent metal complexation. Quantitative amounts of nine-coordinate [L2Er(hfac)₃]⁺ molecular adducts could be finally prepared in solution at millimolar concentrations, while the S···A distance has been reduced by 40% to reach circa 0.7 nm. Detailed photophysical studies demonstrate the operation of a three times improved energy transfer upconversion (ETU) mechanism for molecular [L2Er(hfac)₃]⁺ in acetonitrile at room temperature, thanks to the boosted heavy atom effect operating in the close cyanine/Er pair. NIR excitation at 801 nm can thus be upconverted into visible light (525-545 nm) with an unprecedented brightness of B^up(801 nm) = 2.0(1) × 10^-3 M^-1·cm^-1 for a molecular lanthanide complex.

Dual visible and near-infrared luminescence in mononuclear macrocyclic erbium(III) complexes via ligand and metal centred excitation

Considering the structural design of some of the scarce molecular-based Er-centred emitters in the literature, we explored the optical properties of three Er^III hexaazamacrocyclic complexes, namely Er-EDA (1), Er-OPDA(2) and Er-DAP(3). The macrocyclic ligands in these complexes differ in the lateral spacers, and are derived from 2,6-pyridine-dicarbaldehyde and ethylenediamine (EDA), ortho-phenylenediamine (OPDA) or 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP). Upon ligand-centred excitation, the bluish-green and green emissions of the Er^III ion were detected only for the complexes containing macrocycles with aliphatic spacers (1 and 3), which evidenced that these ligands can sensitize the Er^III luminescence. On the other hand, the ligand derived from the aromatic diamine (2) does not sensitize the Er^III luminescence. Energy transfer mechanisms, temperature sensing, CIE coordinates and CCT values were analyzed. Besides the excitation in the ligands, the erbium-centred excitation at 980 nm allowed the detection, in all cases, of bluish-green, green and red up-converted emissions, and also the downshifted NIR emission. The possible mechanisms involved in these transitions were described and analyzed according to the available data.

Phonon-assisted molecular upconversion in a holmium(III)-based molecular cluster-aggregate

Upconversion (UC) is a fascinating process in which higher energy photons can be emitted from excitation by lower energy photons. The current challenge remains in downscaling and effectively achieving upconversion with lanthanide ions at the molecular scale. Here, using a rationally designed molecular cluster-aggregate (MCA), we demonstrate for the first time Ho^III ion molecular upconversion. The synthesized MCA exhibits identifiable Ho^III green and red UC emissions with a uniquely enhanced red to green ratio as well as a conventional near-infrared (NIR) emission. A combined rigid spherical cluster core with reduced molecular vibrations, ideally matched donor and acceptor excited levels via a phonon-assisted mechanism, led to an upconversion quantum yield of 5.24 × 10^-6%.

Upconversion in a d-f [RuYb3] Supramolecular Assembly

We have prepared a hetero-tetrametallic assembly consisting of three ytterbium ions coordinated to a central [Ru(bpm)₃]²⁺ (bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) motif. Irradiation into the absorption band of the peripheral ytterbium ions at 980 nm engenders emission of the ³MLCT state of the central [Ru(bpm)₃]²⁺ core at 636 nm, which represents the first example of f → d molecular upconversion (UC). Time-resolved measurements reveal a slow rise of the UC emission, which was modeled with a mathematical treatment of the observed kinetics according to a cooperative photosensitization mechanism using a virtual Yb centered doubly excited state followed by energy transfer to the Ru centered ¹MLCT state.

Coordination-Directed Self-Assembly of Functional Polynuclear Lanthanide Supramolecular Architectures

Lanthanide supramolecular chemistry is a fast growing and intriguing research field due to the unique photophysical, magnetic, and coordination properties of lanthanide ions (Ln^III). Compared with the intensively investigated mononuclear Ln-complexes, polymetallic lanthanide supramolecular assemblies offer more structural superiority and functional advantages. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in polynuclear lanthanide supramolecules, varying from structural evolution to luminescent and magnetic functional materials. This review summarizes the design principles in ligand-induced coordination-driven self-assembly of polynuclear Ln-structures and intends to offer guidance for the construction of more elegant Ln-based architectures and optimization of their functional performances. Design principles concerning the water solubility and chirality of the lanthanide-organic assemblies that are vital in extending their applications are emphasized. The strategies for improving the luminescent properties and the applications in up-conversion, host-guest chemistry, luminescent sensing, and catalysis have been summarized. Magnetic materials based on supramolecular assembled lanthanide architectures are given in an individual section and are classified based on their structural features. Challenges remaining and perspective directions in this field are also briefly discussed.

Metal-Based Linear Light Upconversion Implemented in Molecular Complexes: Challenges and Perspectives

The piling up of low-energy photons to produce light beams of higher energies while exploiting the nonlinear optical response of matter was conceived theoretically around 1930 and demonstrated 30 years later with the help of the first coherent ruby lasers. The vanishingly small efficacy of the associated light-upconversion process was rapidly overcome by the implementation of powerful successive absorptions of two photons using linear optics in materials that possess real intermediate excited states working as relays. In these systems, the key point requires a favorable competition between the rate constant of the excited-state absorption (ESA) and the relaxation rate of the intermediate excited state, the lifetime of which should be thus maximized. Chemists and physicists therefore selected long-lived intermediate excited states found (i) in trivalent lanthanide cations doped into ionic solids or into nanoparticles (^2S+1L_J spectroscopic levels) or (ii) in polyaromatic molecules (triplet states) as the logical activators for designing light upconverters using linear optics. Their global efficiency has been stepwise optimized during the past five decades by using indirect intermolecular sensitization mechanisms (energy transfer upconversion = ETU) combined with large absorption cross sections.The induction of light-upconversion operating in a single discrete entity at the molecular level is limited to metal-based units and remained a challenge for a long time because coordination complexes possess high-frequency oscillators incompatible with the existence of (i) scales of accessible excited relays with long lifetimes and (ii) final high-energy emissive levels with noticeable intrinsic quantum yields. In contrast to intermolecular energy transfer processes operating in metal-based doped solids, which require statistical models, the combination of sensitizers and activators within the same molecule limits energy transfers to easily tunable intramolecular processes with first-order kinetic rate constants. Their successful programming in a trinuclear CrErCr complex in 2011 led to the first detectable near-infrared to green light upconversion induced in a molecular unit under reasonable excitation intensity. The subsequent progress in the modeling and understanding of the key factors controlling metal-based light upconversion operating in molecular complexes led to a burst of various designs exploiting different mechanisms, excited-state absorption (ESA), energy transfer upconversion (ETU), cooperative luminescence (CL), and cooperative upconversion (CU), which are discussed in this Account.

Erbium energy bridging upconversion mechanism studies on BAKL:Er3+/Yb3+ glass-ceramics and simultaneous enhancement of color purity of the green luminescence

Er3+–Er3+ ion energy bridging UC mechanism through an Yb3+ ion is responsible for efficient color tuning properties in a uniquely designed borate oxyflouride glass-ceramics matrix.

Cooperative Luminescence and Cooperative Sensitisation Upconversion of Lanthanide Complexes in Solution

Upconversion nanoparticles have led to various breakthrough applications in solar energy conversion, imaging, and biomedicine. One key impediment is the facilitation of such processes at the molecular scale in solution where quenching effects are much more pronounced. In this work, molecular solution-state cooperative luminescence (CL) upconversion arising from a Yb excited state is explored and the mechanistic origin behind cooperative sensitisation (CS) upconversion in Yb/ Tb systems is investigated. Counterintuitively, the best UC performances were obtained for Yb/Tb ratios close to parity, resulting in the brightest molecular upconversion complexes with a quantum yield of 2.8 × 10-6 at a low laser power density of 2.86 W/cm2.

Discrete Heteropolynuclear Yb/Er Assemblies: Switching on Molecular Upconversion Under Mild Conditions

The salts {[Ln₂ Ln*(Hhmq)₃ (OAc)₃ (hfac)₂ ]⁺ [Ln*(hfac)₃ (OAc)(MeOH)]^- } (Hhmq=2-methanolquinolin-8-oxide, hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate; Ln, Ln*=Er, Gd, Yb) feature a discrete heteronuclear cation consisting of two types of lanthanide atoms. The quinolinoxy O-atom serves as a μ₂ -bridge to two Ln atoms and as a μ₃ -bridge to all three atoms, with metal⋅⋅⋅metal distances being around 3.7 Å. For 1 ([Yb₂ Er]⁺ ), near-infrared downshifted luminescence is switched to competitive upconversion luminescence upon irradiation by a 980 nm laser under an extremely low excitation power (0.288 W cm^-2 ) through introduction of fluoride ions. The stability of 1 after addition of fluoride was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and multistage mass spectrometry, associated with the ¹ H NMR of 6 ([La₂ Eu]⁺ ). More importantly, the at least 20-fold enhancement of the quantum yield in non-deuterated solvents at room temperature under low power densities (2 W cm^-2 ) is the highest among the few molecular examples reported.

Ligand-Sensitized Near-Infrared to Visible Linear Light Upconversion in a Discrete Molecular Erbium Complex

While the low-absorption cross section of lanthanide-based upconversion systems, in which the trivalent lanthanides (Ln³⁺) are responsible for converting low- to high-energy photons, has restricted their application to intense incident light, the emergence of a cascade sensitization through an organic dye antenna capable of broadly harvesting near-infrared (NIR) light in upconversion nanoparticles opened new horizons in the field. With the aim of pushing molecular upconversion within the range of practical applications, we show herein how the incorporation of an NIR organic dye antenna into the ligand scaffold of a mononuclear erbium coordination complex boosts the upconversion brightness of the molecule to such an extent that a low-power (0.7 W·cm^-2) NIR laser excitation of [L6Er(hfa)₃]⁺ (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) at 801 nm results in a measurable visible upconverted signal in a dilute solution (5 × 10^-4 M) at room temperature. Connecting the NIR dye antenna to the Er³⁺ activator in a single discrete molecule cures the inherent low-efficient metal-based excited-state absorption mechanism with a powerful indirect sensitization via an energy transfer upconversion, which drastically improves the molecular-based upconverted Er³⁺-centered visible emission.

Molecular light-upconversion: we have had a problem! When excited state absorption (ESA) overcomes energy transfer upconversion (ETU) in Cr(III)/Er(III) complexes

Nine-coordinate [ErN₉] or [ErN₃O₆] chromophores found in triple helical [Er(L)₃]³⁺ complexes (L corresponds to 2,2′,6′,2′′-terpyridine (tpy), 2,6-(bisbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (bzimpy), 2,6-diethylcarboxypyridine (dpa-ester) or 2,6-diethylcarboxamidopyridine (dpa-diamide) derivatives), [Er(dpa)₃]³⁻ (dpa is the 2,6-dipicolinate dianion) and [GaErGa(bpb-bzimpy)₃]⁹⁺ (bpb-bzimpy is 2,6-bis((pyridin-2-benzimidazol-5-yl)methyl-(benzimidazol-2-yl))pyridine) exhibit NIR (excitation at 801 nm) into visible (emission at 542 nm) linear light upconversion processes in acetonitrile at room temperature. The associated quantum yields 5.5(6) × 10⁻¹¹ ≤ ϕ^up_tot(ESA) ≤ 1.7(2) × 10⁻⁹ appear to be 1–3 orders of magnitude larger than those predicted by the accepted single-center excited-state absorption mechanism (ESA). Switching to the alternative energy transfer upconversion mechanism (ETU), which operates in multi-centers [CrErCr(bpb-bzimpy)₃]⁹⁺, leads to an improved quantum yield of ϕ^up_tot(ETU) = 5.8(6) × 10⁻⁸, but also to an even larger discrepancy by 4–6 orders of magnitude when compared with theoretical models. All photophysical studies point to Er(⁴I_13/2) as being the only available ‘long-lived’ (1.8 ≤ τ ≤ 6.3 μs) and emissive excited state, which works as an intermediate relay for absorbing the second photon, but with an unexpected large cross-section for an intrashell 4f → 4f electronic transition. With this in mind, the ETU mechanism, thought to optimize upconversion via intermetallic Cr → Er communication in [CrErCr(bpb-bzimpy)₃]⁹⁺, is indeed not crucial and the boosted associated upconversion quantum yield is indebted to the dominant contribution of the single-center erbium ESA process. This curious phenomenon is responsible for the successful implementation of light upconversion in molecular coordination complexes under reasonable light power intensities, which paves the way for applications in medicine and biology. Its origin could be linked with the presence of metal–ligand bonding.

Near-infrared to visible molecular upconversion exhibits quantum yields which are 2–6 orders of magnitude larger than those modeled with the accepted linear excited state absorption (ESA) or energy transfer (ETU) mechanisms: we have had a problem!

Pyclen-Based Ligands Bearing Pendant Picolinate Arms for Gadolinium Complexation

We report the synthesis of two pyclen-based regioisomer ligands (pyclen = 3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene) functionalized with picolinic acid pendant arms either at positions 3,9-pc2pa (L5) or 3,6-pc2pa (L6) of the macrocyclic fragment. The ligands were prepared by the regiospecific protection of one of the amine nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle using Boc and Alloc protecting groups, respectively. The X-ray structure of the Gd(III) complex of L5 contains trinuclear [(GdL5)₃(H₂O)₃]³⁺ entities in which the monomeric units are joined by μ₂-η¹:η¹-carboxylate groups. However, the ¹H and ⁸⁹Y NMR spectra of its Y(III) analogue support the formation of monomeric complexes in solution. The Tb(III) complexes are highly luminescent, with emission quantum yields of up to 28% for [TbL5]⁺. The luminescence lifetimes recorded in H₂O and D₂O solutions indicate the presence of a water molecule coordinated to the metal ion, as also evidenced by the ¹H relaxivities measured for the Gd(III) analogues. The Gd(III) complexes present very different exchange rates of the coordinated water molecule (k_ex²⁹⁸ = 87.1 × 10⁶ and 1.06 × 10⁶ s^-1 for [GdL5]⁺ and [GdL6]⁺, respectively). The very high water exchange rate of [GdL5]⁺ is associated with the steric hindrance originating from the coordination of the ligand around the water binding site, which favors a dissociatively activated water exchange process. The Gd(III) complexes present rather high thermodynamic stabilities (log K_GdL = 20.47 and 19.77 for [GdL5]⁺ and [GdL6]⁺, respectively). Furthermore, these complexes are remarkably inert with respect to their acid-assisted dissociation, in particular the complex of L5.

Upconversion in molecular hetero-nonanuclear lanthanide complexes in solution

Here we show that nonanuclear lanthanide complexes respresent a new class of solution state upconversion (UC) molecules. For a composition of one Tb per eight Yb the nonanuclear complexes display a very efficient UC phenomenon with Tb luminescence in the visible region upon 980 nm NIR excitation of Yb. An unprecedented value of 1.0 × 10-7 was obtained for the UC efficiency at only 2.86 W cm-2, demonstrating these new molecular complexes to be up to 26 times more efficient than the best current molecular systems, the UC being observed down to a concentration of 10 nM.

Assessing the Covalent Attachment and Energy Transfer Capabilities of Upconverting Phosphors With Cofactor Containing Bioactive Enzymes

Upconverting phosphors (UCPs) convert multiple low energy photons into higher energy emission via the process of photon upconversion and offer an attractive alternative to organic fluorophores for use as luminescent probes. Examples of biosensors utilizing the apparent energy transfer of UCPs and nanophosphors (UCNPs) with biomolecules have started to appear in the literature but very few exploit the covalent anchoring of the biomolecule to the surface of the UCP to improve the sensitivity of the systems. Here, we demonstrate a robust and versatile method for the covalent attachment of biomolecules to the surface of a variety of UCPs and UCNPs in which the UCPs were capped with functionalized silica in order to provide a surface to covalently conjugate biomolecules with surface-accessible cysteines. Variants of BM3Heme, cytochrome C, glucose oxidase, and glutathione reductase were then attached via maleimide-thiol coupling. BM3Heme, glucose oxidase, and glutathione reductase were shown to retain their activity when coupled to the UCPs potentially opening up opportunities for biosensing applications.

Near-IR to Near-IR Upconversion Luminescence in Molecular Chromium Ytterbium Salts

Upconversion photoluminescence in hetero-oligonuclear metal complex architectures featuring organic ligands is an interesting but still rarely observed phenomenon, despite its great potential from a basic research and application perspective. In this context, a new photonic material consisting of molecular chromium(III) and ytterbium(III) complex ions was developed that exhibits excitation-power density-dependent cooperative sensitization of the chromium-centered 2 E/2 T1 phosphorescence at approximately 775 nm after excitation of the ytterbium band 2 F7/2 →2 F5/2 at approximately 980 nm in the solid state at ambient temperature. The upconversion process is insensitive to atmospheric oxygen and can be observed in the presence of water molecules in the crystal lattice.

Recent Advances in Luminescence Imaging of Biological Systems Using Lanthanide(III) Luminescent Complexes

The use of luminescence in biological systems allows one to diagnose diseases and understand cellular processes. Molecular systems, particularly lanthanide(III) complexes, have emerged as an attractive system for application in cellular luminescence imaging due to their long emission lifetimes, high brightness, possibility of controlling the spectroscopic properties at the molecular level, and tailoring of the ligand structure that adds sensing and therapeutic capabilities. This review aims to provide a background in luminescence imaging and lanthanide spectroscopy and discuss selected examples from the recent literature on lanthanide(III) luminescent complexes in cellular luminescence imaging, published in the period 2016-2020. Finally, the challenges and future directions that are pointing for the development of compounds that are capable of executing multiple functions and the use of light in regions where tissues and cells have low absorption will be discussed.

Preorganized helical chirality controlled homochiral self-assembly and circularly polarized luminescence of a quadruple-stranded Eu2L4 helicate

β-Diketones are one of the most widely used ligands for sensitizing the luminescence of lanthanide complexes due to their excellent sensitization abilities. However, the difficulties in introducing chiral groups to take part in the electronic transitions of conjugated systems limit their application in lanthanide circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials. In view of the inherent chirality of the helical structure, herein, a pair of homochiral quadruple-stranded helicates, Eu2L4, is assembled based on chiral bis-β-diketonate ligands, wherein the two point chirality centers in the spacer preorganize the helical conformation of the ligand (3S,4S)/(3R,4R)-3,4-bis(4,4'-bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-dioxobutyl)phenoxyl)-1-benzylpyrrolidine, LSS/LRR. X-ray crystallographic analyses reveal that the R,R configurations of the chiral carbons in the spacer induce the M helical sense of the ligand, while the S,S configurations induce the P helical sense. Through the comprehensive spectral characterization in combination with semiempirical geometry optimization using the Sparkle/RM1 model, it is confirmed that the preorganized ligands successfully control the homochirality of the helicates. Moreover, the mirror-image CD and CPL spectra and NMR measurements confirm the formation of enantiomeric pairs and their diastereopurities in solution. Detailed photophysical and chiroptical characterization studies reveal that the helicates not only exhibit intense circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with |glum| values reaching 0.10, but also show a high luminescence quantum yield of 34%. This study effectively combines the helical chirality of the helicates with the excellent sensitization ability of the β-diketones, providing an effective strategy for the syntheses of chiral lanthanide CPL materials.

Monitoring Fe(II) Spin-State Equilibria via Eu(III) Luminescence in Molecular Complexes: Dream or Reality?

The modulation of light emission by Fe(II) spin-crossover processes in multifunctional materials has recently attracted major interest for the indirect and noninvasive monitoring of magnetic information storage. In order to approach this goal at the molecular level, three segmental ligand strands, L4-L6, were reacted with stoichiometric mixtures of divalent d-block cations (M(II) = Fe(II) or Zn(II)) and trivalent lanthanides (Ln(III) = La(III) or Eu(III)) in acetonitrile to give C₃-symmetrical dinuclear triple-stranded helical [LnM(Lk)₃]⁵⁺ cations, which can be crystallized with noncoordinating counter-anions. The divalent metal M(II) is six-coordinate in the pseudo-octahedral sites produced by the facial wrapping of the three didentate binding units, the ligand field of which induces variable Fe(II) spin-state properties in [LnFe(L4)₃]⁵⁺ (strictly high-spin), [LnFe(L5)₃]⁵⁺ (spin-crossover (SCO) around room temperature), and [LnFe(L6)₃]⁵⁺ (SCO at very low temperature). The introduction of the photophysically active Eu(III) probe in [EuFe(Lk)₃]⁵⁺ results in europium-centered luminescence modulated by variable intramolecular Eu(III) → Fe(II) energy-transfer processes. The kinetic analysis implies Eu(III) → Fe(II) quenching efficiencies close to 100% for the low-spin configuration and greater than 95% for the high-spin state. Consequently, the sensitivity of indirect luminescence detection of Fe(II) spin crossover is limited by the resulting weak Eu(III)-centered emission intensities, but the dependence of the luminescence on the temperature unambiguously demonstrates the potential of indirect lanthanide-based spin-state monitoring at the molecular scale.