Triple-decker lanthanide Schiff base complex

Salen type Schiff-base ligands as one of the best known organic ligands with an N2O2 cavity has been modified to various derivatives in respect to the expected functions. These type ligands have played an important role in coordination chemistry for over half a century. It is known that salen type ligands are able to stabilize various different metals in various coordination environments [1, 2]. Polynuclear lanthanide complexes and double- and triple-decker complexes has attracted considerable attention in the field luminescent and magnetic properties because of their potential applications in the preparation of new optical, quantum computing, high-density information storage, and molecular spintronics [3]. Our recent studies have focused on the use of a salen-type Schiff base ligand to stabilize Tb(III) centers and to provide the antenna for lanthanide luminescence. An interesting emerging feature exhibited by these complexes is the self-assembly of stacked multi-decker structures in which Tb(III) ions are sandwiched between alternating layers of the Schiff base ligand. the reaction of equimolar amount (N,N0-bis(1-naphthaldiamine)-O-phenylenediamine) and Tb(NO3)3 .xH2O in absolute MeCN, afforded the triple-decker ([Tb2L3]) architecture (fig.1). The resultant product was identified via IR and Mass spectroscopic methods.