Crystal structures and luminescent properties of the lanthanide picrate complexes with an amide-type tripodal ligand

Solid complexes of lanthanide picrates with a new amide type tripodal ligand, 2,2′,2″-nitrilotris-(N-phenylmethyl)-acetamide (L) have been prepared. The X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis indicates that the ML2 type complexes [PrL2(Pic)](Pic)2 and [NdL2(Pic)](Pic)2 are isomorphous. And the ML2 complex units are hydrogen bonded to give infinite one-dimensional zigzag supramolecular chains which are further linked by the interchain hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions of the picrate groups to form two-dimensional layer. The luminescent property of the Eu (III) complex is described.