Crystal Structure and Luminescence Properties of a New Two-Dimensional Gd(III) Complex

Gd(III) ions display fascinating luminescence properties. Therefore, a new two dimensional polymeric Gd(III) complex, {[Gd(2-stp)·3(H2O)]·(H2O)}n, [2-stp = 2-sulfoterephthalate] has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–visible and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid state photoluminescence measurements. The crystal structure of the Gd complex shows that Gd atom is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms by four symmetry-related 2-stp ligands and three coordinated water molecules to form a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. The 2-stp ligand coordinates to four different Gd atoms and acts as a µ4-bridging ligand, end up with a two-dimensional layer structure. Moreover, 2D layer structure with hydrogen bonding interactions may develop the decisiveness of the crystal structure of Gd complex and achieve a 3D architecture. In addition, the solid state photoluminescence spectra show that Gd complex exhibited a strong green emission when it is excited under UV light at 349 nm.