Circularly polarized luminescence induction on a Tb(iii) complex with a tris(o-tert-butylaryloxide)-functionalized 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligand coordinating chiral 1-phenylethylamine†

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity was induced on a racemic Tb complex with a 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-based tris-phenoxide ligand by the coordination of a chiral 1-phenylethylamine ligand to the Tb centre. tert-Butyl groups at the ortho-position of the phenoxide moieties were found to be important for efficient CPL induction in the Tb complex.