Homo dinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes of a mesogenic Schiff-base, N,N′-di-(4-decyloxysalicylidene)-1′,6′-diaminohexane: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

A mesogenic Schiff-base, N,N′-di-(4-decyloxysalicylidene)-1′, 6′-diaminohexane, H 2ddsdh (abbreviated as H 2L 2) that exhibits smectic-B (SmB) mesophase, was synthesized and its structure studied by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR & IR spectral techniques. The Schiff-base, H 2L 2, upon condensation with hydrated lanthanide(III) nitrates, yields Ln III complexes of the general composition [Ln 2(L 2H 2) 3(NO 3) 4](NO 3) 2, where Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho. IR and NMR spectral data imply a bi-dentate bonding of the Schiff-base in its zwitterionic form (as L 2H 2) to the Ln III ions through two phenolate oxygens. The POM and DSC studies reveal that none of the Ln III complexes exhibits mesomorphism. Fluorescence studies show that the Tb III complex displays characteristic metal-centered fluorescence (solution state). © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.