Crystal structure and luminescence of a europium 3-methoxybenzoate complex with 2,2′-bipyridine

The structure of the dimer [Eu(m-MOBA)(3). 2,2'-bipy](2) (m-MOBA: m-methoxybenzoate, 2,2'-bipy: 2,2'-bipyridine) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each europium atom is coordinated with two oxygen atoms of the chelated carboxyl group, four oxygen atoms of the bidentate bridging carboxylate groups and two nitrogen atoms from a 2,2'-bipyridine molecule forming a dimeric structure with coordination number 8. The luminescence behaviour of the Eu3+ ion in [Eu(m-MOBA)(3). 2,2'-bipy](2) was observed at 77 K, The emission spectra of D-5(1) --> F-7(J) (J = 1-3) and D-5(0) --> F-7(J) (J = 0-4) transitions were measured, The complex displays intense luminescence and the Eu3+ ions in the dimer occur in slightly different chemical environments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.