Superior Circularly Polarized Luminescence Brightness Achieved with Chiral Heteroleptic Nine-Coordinate Coumarin-Based Tb3+ Complexes

In order to facilitate the practical application of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) active molecules, the CPL brightness (BCPL) must be optimized. We have applied a binary modular strategy to synthesize two chiral organo-Tb3+ complexes, [Tb(Coum)3(1R,2R-Ph-PyBox)] (2) and [Tb(Coum)3(1S,2S-Ph-PyBox)] (5), combining 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-coumarin (Coum) and enantiopure 2,6-bis(4-phenyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl) pyridine (1R,2R/1S,2S-Ph-PyBox). The photophysical properties of these novel complexes have been fully characterized. The combined point-chiral induction capability of chiral bis(oxazoline) derivatives and the outstanding photophysical properties of the coumarin-derived ligand have resulted in an intense excited-state chiroptical activity (|glum| = 0.097–0.103) for both Tb3+ enantiomers, with a bright Tb3+-centered high-purity green emission (ΦPL = 74%) and enhanced antenna-centered absorption behavior (ε320 nm = 47820–47940 M–1 cm–1). A superior BCPL (1132.7–1205.8 M–1 cm–1 at 5D4 → 7F5) has been established for complexes 2 and 5. The strategy adopted in this work provides a new route to chiroptical organo-Tb3+ luminophores with outstanding comprehensive performance.