Use of Terbium(III) as a Probe for the Ion-Binding Properties of Tactic Polyacids and Triacidic Model Compounds

Abstract

The binding properties of Tb(III) ions in configurationally different environments were investigated using luminescence intensity and lifetime measurements. The emission intensity of Tb(III) (5D4–7F5 transition) is directly dependent upon the number of coordinated water molecules (quenchers) bound in the inner coordination sphere. The more efficiently a ligand coordinates to Tb(III) ion, the more water molecules are expelled from the coordination sphere, thereby enhancing the luminescence intensity and lifetime of the ion. Isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methacrylic acids) (PMAs) were neutralized and complexed with Tb(III) ions in aqueous solutions. The luminescence intensities and lifetimes were monitored with λexc = 265, the hypersensitive excitation band at 286 and 370 nm. The isotactic PMA/Tb(III) complex exhibited a six times greater luminescence intensity than the syndiotactic PMA complex. Lifetime measurements showed 2.4 water molecules coordinated to Tb(III) ion in the isotactic PMA complex, while 3.4 water molecules were found to remain in the syndiotactic complex. Similar studies were also conducted on small organic model compounds such as Kemp's triacid and its configurational isomer. These data supported the polymeric results where the isotactic model, Kemp's triacid, exhibited a higher luminescence intensity and a longer lifetime than the Kemp's isomer. Lifetime results showed the Kemp's molecule retained approximately 2.7 water molecules, compared to four water molecules for the isomer. The validity of using the Kemp's molecules as polymeric models is also discussed.