Near-infrared luminescent ytterbium(III), neodymium(III), and erbium(I
II) complexes containing novel organic chromophores derived from azatr
iphenylene have been prepared and spectroscopically studied. The compl
exes can be excited from 350 to 450 nm, leading after intramolecular e
nergy transfer to intense lanthanide luminescence in acetonitrile. Que
nching of the luminescence of the complexes by molecular oxygen reveal
s information on the rate of energy transfer from the ''antenna'' to t
he lanthanide ion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.