Photoactive Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes of calix[4]arenes with pyridine-N-oxide pendant groups

Two calix[4]arenes with four 2-pyridyhnethyl-l-oxide pendant groups at the lower rim have been synthesized, and their Tb(III) and Eu(III) complexes are fluorescent upon UV light excitation at 312 nm. The complexes are not stable in aqueous solution, completely losing their luminescent properties.