Synthesis and characterization of new organometallic lanthanides metal complexes for photodynamic therapy

New Schiff base ligand: 4-methoxy salicaldhyde-2-2-phenyl-hydrazono acetaldehíyde prepared by facile method. The molecular structures characterized by elemental analysis and proton magnetic resonance spectra ( 1 H-NMR spectra). This spectra at the chemical shifts (3.5–10.39 ppm) confirmed the types and the numbers of protons. The sharp melting point at the range 110–112 °C confirmed purity. New optically active metal (samarium, terbium and gadolinium) complexes of the Schiff base synthesized in a one pot reaction. Vibrational IR spectra confirmed functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs confirmed that the modified microstructure of the metal complexes differed in morphology than the ligand. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed good crystalline structure. The optically activity of the solid metal complexes confirmed from electronic absorption spectra. The UV absorbance band at the wavelength range 280–390 nm and the intense phosphorescence bands up to 830 nm enabled application in photo dynamic therapy for apoptosis cancer cells by conversion triplet oxygen in the tissues into reactive singlet oxygen. Low charge transfer energy: 2.59–2.61 eV, high molar extinction coefficients (ε) at the order of magnitude M − 1 cm − 1 and the intense phosphorescence bands reflected good photodynamic activity. The metal complexes are thermally stable.