Synthesis and crystal structure of [nBu4N][Er(pic)4] · 5.5H2O: a new infrared emitter

The new erbium(III) complex of picolinic acid (Hpic), [nBu4N][Er(pic)4] · 5.5H2O, was synthesized and the crystal structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound was further characterized using IR, Raman, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. The picolinate ligands (pic−) are coordinated through N,O-chelation to the erbium cations, as shown by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic results, leading to an eight coordinate complex. Photoluminescence measurements were performed for this compound which exhibits infrared emission.