Photoluminescent probes can provide clear and precise visualisation of biological and physical systems. The use of lanthanide (III) ions in complexation with antenna ligands can generate characteristic and detectable emissions unique to a lanthanide (III) ion. Salen and salphen ligands use a dual hydroxyl and dual schiff base backbone to create an idealised tetradentate binding site for lanthanide (III) ions. Using two salen or salphen ligands to sandwich a lanthanide (III) ion centre, this can create an antenna system directly bound to this lanthanide (III) ion centre. Three salen ligands and two salphen ligands with varying substituent groups were synthesised and characterised with 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and UV-Vis. These ligands were used to form a complex with yttrium for 1H-NMR characterisation. The two salphen ligands with differing substituents were used to form a complex with europium (III). These complexes were analysed via UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. An emissive response was recorded from the complex with an electron donating methoxy substituent group, the emitted radiation was of a wavelength of 612nm, attributed to the europium (III) centre.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a member of the University of Lincoln to be able to view this dissertation. Please log in here.