SYNTHESIS OF CALIX[4]ARENE RECEPTORS INCORPORATING (2,2-BIPYRIDIN-6-YL)METHYL AND (9-METHYL-1,10-PHENANTHROLIN-2-YL)METHYL CHROMOPHORES ANDLUMINESCENCE OF THEIR EU3+ AND TB3+ COMPLEXES

Several new calix[4] arene derivatives in the cone conformation 3-5 an d 8-11, incorporating 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline chromopho res have been synthesized in order to Obtain luminescent complexes wit h EU(3+) and Tb3+. Whereas phenanthroline containing ligands 10 and 11 gave no indication of complex formation with lanthanide ions, the lig and 3 incorporating four 2,2'-bipyridine chromophores and the ligands 8 and 9, bearing two amide and two 2,2'-bipyridine groups, were able t o sensitize EU(3+) and Tb3+ luminescence, The Tb3+ complex of compound 9 showed intense metal luminescence thanks to the high values of the molar absorption coefficient (epsilon = 29000 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)) an d quantum yield (phi = 0.12).