Ligand influence versus electronic configuration of d-metal ion in determining the fate of NIR emission from LnIII ions: a case study with CuII, NiII and ZnII complexes

Based on fifteen lanthanide complexes, where Cu, Ni and Zn ions with a Schiff-base ligand act as an antenna, it is demonstrated that electronic configuration of the d-block metal ion is very crucial for obtaining emission in NIR region.