Synthesis, characterization, luminescence properties and antioxidant activity of Ln(III) complexes with a new aryl amide bridging ligand

A novel Aryl amide ligand H2L and its eight complexes, [LnH2L(NO3)2·H2O]NO3 [Ln=Sm(III), Er(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), La(III), Gd(III), Nd(III), and Pr(III)], are presented. The ligand and complexes were synthesized and characterized based on elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR, UV–VIS., and TGA studies. The conductivity data show a 1:1 electrolytic nature with a general formula [LnH2L(NO3)2·2H2O]NO3 The IR spectra reveal coordination of the ligand through the azomethine nitrogen and the phenolic hydroxyl of the ligand to the lanthanide ion. The coordinated nitrate ions behave in a bidentate fashion. The thermal decomposition studies indicate the presence of two water molecules in the inner coordination sphere. Under the excitation at 319 nm, the luminescence emission properties for Sm, Tb, and Dy complexes are observed. These observations show that the ligand favors energy transfers to the emitting energy level of these lanthanide ions. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the ligand and its Ln(III) complexes was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method, which indicates that the Ln(III) complexes exhibit more effective antioxidant activity than the ligand alone.