Controlling the coordination environments and the luminescence properties of Eu(3+) complexes with outer-sphere counterions was achieved in the solid state, in a polymer matrix and in solution.
Modification of the luminescence spectra of chloro(tetrapyridylcyclotetramine)europium complexes by fine tuning of the Eu-Cl distance with outer-sphere counterions in the solid state, in a polymer matrix and in solution.