(a) The absorption spectra of the [Yb(5LIO-Me-3,2-HOPO)2] (red) and [Yb(H(2,2)-Me-3,2-HOPO)] (black) complexes in 0.1 M aqueous TRIS buffer, pH 7.4. (b) Emission spectra (λex = 345 nm) at room temperature (red, × 10) and 77 K (black) of the [Gd(5LIO-Me-3,2-HOPO)2]− complex measured in a 1:1 (v/v) EtOH:MeOH glassing solvent, and corresponding fit (blue)to a series of overlapping gaussians to evaluate the zero phonon transition.