Two β-diketone derivatives bearing triphenylene (1-naphthalene-2-yl-3-triphenylen-2-yl-propane-1,3-dione (NTPD)) and naphthalene (1,3-di-naphthalene-2-yl-propane-1,3-dione (DNPD)) and their Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Er or Gd) were synthesized and their photophysical properties were investigated. The sensitized emission of Er3+ ion in Er3+-[NTPD]3(terpy) and Er3+-[DNPD]3(terpy) was observed upon excitation at absorption maximum of ligands. Their photophysical studies indicate the sensitization of Er3+ luminescence by energy transfer through the excited triplet state of β-diketone ligand. The energy transfer rate through the excited triplet state of β-diketone ligand to Er3+ ion occurs faster than that of the oxygen quenching rate.