Circularly polarized luminescence under near-UV excitation and structural elucidation of a Eu complexElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Preparation of compounds, optical and chiroptical spectra, NMR analysis and MALDI-TOF MS characterization. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc04283f

A new chiral diketonate ligand based on carvone binds early lanthanides. The Eu complex displays high circularly polarized ( g lum = 0.82) red luminescence under near-UV excitation in the solid state. This is the first report on such CPL activity in the solid state with a rigorous protocol to exclude artifacts. Paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy revealed the nature and structure of the active species. A diketonate based on carvone provides a chiral Eu complex with high circularly polarized luminescence in the solid state.