Study on monolayers of metal complexes of calixarenes and their luminescence properties

Monolayers of complexes between trivalent lanthanide ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions and amphiphilic calix[n]arene derivatives (n = 4, 6) bearing acetic acid or hydroxamic acid groups are stable at the air-water interface. The pressure-area isotherms of the monolayers reflect the selectivity in metal ion recognition. Absorption, UV-reflection, excitation, and fluorescence emission spectra of Sm-, Eu-, Tb-, and Dy-complexes were measured in organic solutions and at the air-water interface. Quantum yields were determined for complexes in homogeneous solution. The emission spectra of the monolayers of some of the lanthanide complexes differ from those of the corresponding solutions and change at increasing surface pressure upon compression of the monolayer.