Can chiral P(iii) coordinate Eu(iii)? Unexpected solvent dependent circularly polarised luminescence of BINAP and Eu(iii)(hfa)3 in chloroform and acetone

Abstract

The coordination of Eu(III) (from Eu(III)(hfa)₃) by chiral P(III) (from BINAP) led to circularly polarised luminescence in dilute solutions on the order of |g_em| ≈ 10⁻² at ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and |g_em| ≈ 10⁻³ at ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transitions regardless of the coordinating ability of the solvent (i.e., in non-coordinating ethanol-free chloroform and coordinating acetone).