The solubility of [Tris-(acetylsalicylate)-terbium] [Tb(AS)(3)] is improved to a greater extent than [Tris-(salicylate)-terbium] [Tb(Sal)(3)] following introduction of a flexible acetyl group. Th3+ binds with acetylsalicylate in solution at low pH value and the resultant Tb(AS)(3) has good solubility in chloroform. A Green EL device with the structure ITO/PVK/PVB:PBD: Tb(AS)(3)/ PBD/Al has been fabricated based on soluble Tb(AS)(3), in which Tb(AS)(3) was first used as an emissive center doped with PVK and PBD. The hole-transporting layer and the emissive layer were formed by spin coating. The device exhibited a highly pure characteristic green light of Tb3+.