Laser-induced fluorescence and infrared spectroscopic studies on the specific solvation of tris(1-(2-thienyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-butanedionato)europium(III) in an ionic liquid

The extraction constant and the two-phase stability constant (K-D,K-M beta(3)) of tris(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato) europium(III) between 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C(4)mim] [Tf2N]) as an ionic liquid and an aqueous phase were determined by considering the extraction equilibria including anionic tetrakis(2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato)europate(III). Specific solute-solvent interactions between the neutral Eu(III) chelate and [C(4)mim[Tf2N] molecules were revealed from the relationships between the distribution constant of the enol form of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) as a proton chelate and the distribution constant (K-D,K-M) of the neutral Eu(III) chelate because the [C(4)mim][Tf2N] system gave the high K-D,K-M beta(3) value compared with those in conventional molecular solvents such as benzene and 1,2-dichloroethane. The coordination environment of Eu3+ in the neutral Eu(III) chelate in [C(4)mim][Tf2N] was investigated by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy. Both methods consistently indicated that not only the Eu(III) chelate extracted but also Eu(tta)(3)(H2O)(3) synthesized as a solid crystal were almost completely dehydrated in [C(4)mim][Tf2N] saturated with water. Consequently, the higher K-D,K-M or extractability of the neutral Eu(III) chelate in the [C(4)mim][Tf2N] system can be ascribed to the dehydration of the Eu(III) chelate, which is caused by the specific solvation with [C(4)mim][Tf2N] molecules. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.