Luminescent Complexes of Europium (III) with 2-(Phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline: The Role of the Counterions.

New antenna ligand, 2-(phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (PEP), and its luminescent Eu (III) complexes, Eu(PEP)2Cl3 and Eu(PEP)2(NO3)3, are synthesized and characterized. The synthetic procedure applied is based on reacting of europium salts with ligand in hot acetonitrile solutions in molar ratio 1 to 2. The structure of the complexes is refined by X-ray diffraction based on the single crystals obtained. The compounds [Eu(PEP)2Cl3]·2CH3CN and [Eu(PEP)2(NO3)3]∙2CH3CN crystalize in monoclinic space group P21/n and P21/c, respectively, with two acetonitrile solvent molecules. Intra- and inter-ligand π-π stacking interactions are present in solid stat and are realized between the phenanthroline moieties, as well as between the substituents and the phenanthroline units. The optical properties of the complexes are investigated in solid state, acetonitrile and dichloromethane solution. Both compounds exhibit bright red luminescence caused by the organic ligand acting as antenna for sensitization of Eu (III) emission. The newly designed complexes differ in counter ions in the inner coordination sphere, which allows exploring their influence on the stability, molecular and supramolecular structure, fluorescent properties and symmetry of the Eu (III) ion. In addition, molecular simulations are performed in order to explain the observed experimental behavior of the complexes. The discovered structure-properties relationships give insight on the role of the counter ions in the molecular design of new Eu (III) based luminescent materials.

Two new cestode species of the family Hymenolepididae Perrier, 1897 (Cyclophyllidea) from passerine birds in Ethiopia, with the erection of Citrilolepis n. g.

Two new cestode species of the family Hymenolepididae Perrier, 1897 are described from birds of the order Passeriformes at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. Passerilepis zimbebel n. sp., a parasite of Terpsiphone viridis (Müller) (Monarchidae), is distinguished from its most similar congeners by its diorchoid rostellar hooks with length 37-38 µm, its median ovary consisting of three compact lobes, its compact vitellarium and the variable position of the terminal genital ducts passing mostly dorsally to the poral osmoregulatory canals. Citrilolepis n. g. is erected as monotypic for C. citrili n. sp., a parasite of Crithagra citrinelloides (Rüpell) (Fringillidae). The new genus is distinguished from the remaining avian and mammalian genera of the family Hymenolepididae by the presence of numerous (18) rostellar hooks, unilateral sinistral genital pores, ventral osmoregulatory canals with transverse anastomoses, 3 (rarely 4, in c.10% of proglottides) testes in number with variable positions in the proglottis and the sac-like uterus not extending beyond the osmoregulatory canals.

Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. and Gibsonilepis swifti (Singh, 1952) n. g., n. comb. (Cestoda, Dilepididae) from the House Swift, Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) (Aves, Apodiformes) from Franceville, Republic of Gabon.

Nine specimens of Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) were studied at Franceville, Haut-Ogooué Province, Republic of Gabon, for the presence of helminth parasites. Two cestode species of the family Dilepididae were recorded. Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. is distinguished from the most similar species P. europaea Georgiev & Murai, 1993 by having elliptical cirrus-sac, longer vagina, longer rostellar sheath and greater diameter of suckers. An identification key to the species of the genus Pseudangularia Burt, 1938 is proposed. The present study is the first record of the genus Pseudangularia in the Afrotropical Region. Our study confirms that, in dilepidids with vaginal sclerites from swifts, breaking off the cirrus after copulation is a frequent phenomenon. The genus Gibsonilepis n. g. is erected as monotypic for Vitta swifti Singh, 1952 (originally described from the same host species in India) and Gibsonilepis swifti n. comb. is proposed. Gibsonilepis n. g. is distinguished from Vitta Burt, 1938 by its highly elongate rostellum, rostellar sheath much bigger than rostellum, relatively small rostellar hooks possessing strongly developed guard, disc-shaped suckers with weak peripheral musculature and flat or convex central part, long and well-expressed neck, highly lobed two-winged ovary (lobes rounded) and presence of a band consisting of rows of spine-like microtriches along posterior margin of each proglottis. This is the first record of G. swifti in the Afrotropical Region. The separation of G. swifti from the genus Vitta (parasites of swallows) suggests that, contrary to previous opinions, no dilepidid genera are shared by Apodidae (swifts) and Hirundinidae (swallows).