4,5-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene is a metal chelating ligand for catalysis. 4,5-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene is also a ligand used in the synthesis of heterocycles by palladium-catalyzed C-N cross coupling of 3-bromothiophenes with 2-aminopyridines. The compound has been used in a ruthenium-catalyzed alkylation of active methylene compounds with alcohols.

Herein, a new β-diketonate ligand, namely, 1-(4-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentane-1,3-dione (DPPFH) has been synthesized and utilized for the construction of an antenna complex of Eu3+ [Eu(DPPF)3(DDXPO)] in the presence of a chelating ligand, 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene oxide (DDXPO). The developed Eu3+ compound has been well characterized and investigated the photophysical properties. The designed Eu3+ complex displays bright red luminescence upon irradiation at the ligand-centered band at 375 nm with a quantum yield of 39% in the solid-state. Interestingly, the ternary Eu3+ complex also exhibits brilliant triboluminescence in the daylight, which could be useful in the design of pressure and damage detection probes. In addition, the newly obtained Eu3+ complex was embedded into a PMMA matrix to form highly luminescent films having quantum yields as high as 45–50%. These plastic materials display enhanced thermal stability as compared to parent compound.