Structure, photo- and triboluminescence of the lanthanoid dibenzoylmethanates: HNEt3[Ln(dbm)4]

A series of lanthanoid coordination compounds with the general formula HNEt3[Ln(dbm)(4)] (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb; dbm=dibenzoylmethanate) has been prepared and characterized. In addition, single crystals with Ln=La, Nd and Sm were obtained. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the compounds with Ln=La and Nd crystallize in the P2(1)/c space group, while the Sm-compound crystallizes in the Pc space group. Based on powder XRD data, the compounds with Ln=Eu-Yb can be described with a monoclinic cell. Photoluminescence studies indicate that compounds with Ln=Sm and Eu exhibit bright photoluminescence characteristic of the lanthanoid ion upon excitation in the near UV range. Furthermore, HNEt3[Sm(dbm)(4)] has been identified as a novel triboluminescent compound. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.