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Knowledge of the crystal structure of a monometallic inorganic molecule is often sufficient to calculate its electronic structure and interpret its magnetic properties. Here we show that for a series of nine-coordinate lanthanide complexes based on the 1,4,7-tris[(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligand, the electronic structure is hypersensitive to geometric structure and to the presence of non-coordinated lattice solvent, which renders the magnetic and spectroscopic properties very difficult to interpret. We explore possible explanations for the peculiar electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra and conclude that a number of entangled factors are at play across the samples, and hence that great care should be taken in the interpretation of EPR spectra for systems with small magnetic anisotropy, even when the molecular structure is known.

The origins of the breakdown of Bleaney's theory of magnetic anisotropy are described, based on an analysis of eleven different complexes of the second half of the 4f elements that form isostructural series. An examination of the chemical shift and relaxation rate behaviour of resonances located at least four bonds away from the paramagnetic centre was undertaken, and correlated to theoretical predictions. The key limitations relate to comparability of ligand field splitting with spin–orbit coupling, variation in the position of the principal magnetic axis between Ln complexes and the importance of multipolar terms in describing lanthanide ligand field interactions.

Two bright, europium(III) complexes based on an achiral heptadentate triazacyclononane ligand bearing two strongly absorbing chromophores have been evaluated for the selective emission and CPL signalling of various chiral O-phosphono-anions. Binding of O-phosphono-Ser and Thr gives rise to a strong induced CPL signature and a favoured Δ complex configuration is adopted. A similarly large induced CPL signal arises when [Eu·L1]2+ binds to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), where the strong binding (log K 5.25 (295 K)) in methanol allowed its detection over the range 5 to 40 μM. Strong and chemoselective binding to the phosphorylated amino-acid residues was also observed with a set of four structurally related hexapeptides: in one case, the sign of the gem value in the ΔJ = 1 transition allowed differentiation between the binding to O-P-Ser and O-P-Tyr residues.

A series of bright, europium(iii) complexes has been prepared based on an achiral heptadentate triazacyclononane ligand bearing two strongly absorbing, coordinated aralkynyl pyridyl moieties. The binding of chiral carboxylates, including α-hydroxy acids such as lactate and mandelate, has been monitored by emission spectroscopy and is signalled by the switching on of strong circularly polarised emission. In each case, an R-chiral carboxylate gave rise to emission typical of a Δ complex, most clearly shown in the form of the ΔJ = 4 transition manifold around 700 nm. Variations in the sign and magnitude of the CPL allow the enantiomeric purity and absolute configuration of the acid to be assessed in a sample. Analysis of the relative energies of the parent aqua complexes and their stereoisomeric adducts has been aided by lifetime measurements and density functional theory calculations.

The development of the brightest luminescent europium(III) complexes is traced, including analysis of the C3-symmetric core complex based on a functionalized triazacyclononane and identification of the most suitable strongly absorbing chromophore. Strategies for the synthesis of the complexes, including enantiopure analogues, are outlined and opportunities for applications in time-resolved microscopy and spectral imaging emphasised. Practicable examples are introduced, including selective organelle staining for cellular optical imaging at 65 nm resolution and the development of new bioassays using time-resolved FRET methods.

The development of the brightest luminescent europium(III) complexes is traced, including analysis of the C3-symmetric core complex based on a functionalized triazacyclononane and identification of the most suitable strongly absorbing chromophore. Strategies for the synthesis of the complexes, including enantiopure analogues, are outlined and opportunities for applications in time-resolved microscopy and spectral imaging emphasised. Practicable examples are introduced, including selective organelle staining for cellular optical imaging at 65 nm resolution and the development of new bioassays using time-resolved FRET methods.

The configuration of the remote amide chiral moiety determines the helicity of the metal complex in Ln(III) complexes of nonadentate N6O3 ligands based on triazacyclononane. Solution NMR studies revealed the presence of a dominant isomer whose proportion varies from 9 : 1 to 4 : 1 from Ce to Yb and X-ray crystallographic studies at 120 K of the Yb and two enantiomeric Eu complexes confirmed the configuration as S-Δ-λ in the major isomer. Global minimisation methods allowed magnetic susceptibility and electronic relaxation times of the lanthanide ions to be estimated by analysis of variable field longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) data sets. A set of four europium complexes, containing different para-substituted pyridinyl-aryl groups, exist as one major isomer (15 : 1), and absorb light strongly via an ICT transition in the range 320 to 355 nm (ε = 55 to 65,000 M(-1) cm(-1)). The two examples absorbing light at 332 nm, possess overall emission quantum yields of 35 and 37% in aerated water, making these systems as bright as any Eu complex in solution.