Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic study of Eu(III) complexes with 3-aminopicolinic acid derivatives

The synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic properties of lipophilic Eu(III) complexes of 3-aminopicolinic acid derivatives are reported. The stable complexes of Eu(III) with the ligands 3-dodecanoylaminopicolinic acid (3-NHCORpic) and 3-dodecanoylaminopicolinic acid N-oxide (3-NHCORpicNO) exhibit a remarkably high solubility in most common solvents and have enhanced luminescence and spectroscopic properties when compared with their parent 3-amino complexes. A strong absorption in the UV range, intense emission in the visible range, reasonable quantum yield and a long luminescence lifetime are observed. The results obtained show that these complexes can be used as light-conversion molecular devices either in solid state or in solution.