Correlation between the lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand and lanthanide(III) luminescence quantum yield

The luminescence properties of 41 different Eu(III) and Tb(III) chelates that were synthesized with the purpose of developing new markers for chemical and biochemical applications were measured in aqueous solution and their suitability for labels in time-resolved immunoassays were evaluated. In spite of the influence of numerous factors on the luminescence quantum yields, a clear correlation was obtained between the energies of the lowest triplet state levels of the ligands and lanthanide (III) luminescence quantum yields of the respective chelates. Simultaneously Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions were observed to accept energy by their several different 5Dj, resonance levels depending on the energy of the lowest triplet state level of the ligand, and the Tb(III) luminescence quantum yields were observed to decrease due to the energy back transfer from excited Tb(III)∗ to the ligand when the energy difference between the 5D4 level of Tb(III) and the lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand is less than 1850 cm−1.