Luminescence from Lanthanide(3+) Ions in Solution

Abstract An overview of recent work dealing with luminescence properties in solution of complexes of the lanthanide(3+) ions Nd 3+ , Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ , Er 3+ and Yb 3+ in which an organic chromophore is attached to the metal centre as a sensitizer is given. The various factors that influence the metal‐centred luminescence lifetime and intensity are discussed and illustrated with own results and recent literature examples. The VIS emitting metal ions Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ require sensitizers that absorb light in the UV or near UV range whereas VIS absorbing sensitizers can be used for the NIR emitting ions Nd 3+ , Er 3+ and Yb 3+ . The latter type of complexes is currently of great interest because of potential applications as luminescent markers in biological systems. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)