An experimental and quantum mechanical study on luminescence properties of SM(β-Nbm)3·(Pd)

A new ternary samarium complex Sm(β-NBM)3·(PD) has been synthesized by the reaction of SmCl3·6H2O with β-naphthoylbenzoylmethane (β-HNBM) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (PD) in stoichiometry. The new samarium complex obtained was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The absorption and emission of this complex were systematically investigated. Photoluminescence studies indicated that the energy absorbed by the organic ligands was efficiently transferred to the central Sm3+ ions and the complex showed intensely and characteristically orange emission due to the 4G5/2→6Hj transitions of the central Sm3+ ions. The energy levels (HOMO and LUMO) of the ligands and the complex were further confirmed by computer simulation and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. All the results suggested that the synthesized Sm(β-NBM)3·(PD) would have the potential application for organic light-emitting diodes.