Triboluminescence and crystal structure of centrosymmetric complex Tb(AcAc) 3 Phen

The atomic structure of crystals of the complex Tb(AcAc)3Phen (AA –acetylacetonate-anion, Phen – 1,10 - phenanthroline) characterized by an intensive luminescence and triboluminescence has been determined by means of the X-ray structural analysis method. The crystal structure is represented by individual С27Н29N2O6Tb complexes linked through van der Waals interactions with clearly expressed cleavage planes. The structural aspects of the suggested model of formation of the triboluminescent properties have been considered and the role of the cleavage planes has been discussed. The notions of destruction zone and destruction zone width were introduced for the crystal under mechanical impact. This zone boundaries and width are naturally determined by surfaces spreading through central Tb atoms of molecular complexes, on which the ionization of charged acetylacetonate ions occurs as a result of the mechanical impact. In the case of the studied complex, the width of such destruction zone is equal to 6.414 Å.