The optical studies of three macrocyclic Er^III complexes showed visible upconversion and NIR-downshifted emission upon metal centred excitation. Besides, macrocyclic ligands with aliphatic spacers act as antennas to sensitize the Er^III luminescence.

Spacer of the N ₆ macrocyclic ligand determines its planar distortion and modulates the magnetic anisotropy of [LnN ₆ (NCS) ₃ ] complexes.

The present work reports a new group of heterogeneous catalysts with a 3D structure, CuLnIDA, {[Cu₃Ln₂(IDA)₆]·8H₂O} (Ln: La^III, Gd^III or Yb^III), with an organic linker (H₂IDA: iminodiacetic acid).