Synthesis of functionalized fluorescent europium(III) terpyridyl chelates

The synthesis of substituted terpyridines via triazine intermediates is described. The intermediates allow the facile introduction of cyano groups, which are converted into amino diacetic acid moieties. Together with the terpyridine nitrogen atoms they shield coordinated europium(III) ions completely from the solvent. The terpyridines may be further functionalized for specific applications using ligands, bromo substituents, and standard transition metal mediated coupling methods. This makes the title compounds valuable intermediates for the preparation of luminescent probes in biochemistry, medicinal diagnostics or materials science.