Self-assembly of luminescent Zn–Ln (Ln = Sm and Nd) nanoclusters with a long-chain Schiff base ligand†
Abstract
Two 12-metal Zn–Ln nanoclusters [Zn8Ln4L8(OAc)8](OH)4 (Ln = Sm (1) and Nd (2)) were prepared using a long-chain Schiff base ligand with a flexible (CH2)3O(CH2)2O(CH2)3 backbone. These two Zn–Ln clusters possess interesting rectangular structures. The long-chain Schiff base ligand adopts a “linear” configuration in the structures, resulting in the large sizes of 1 and 2 (about 9 × 19 × 28 Å). Chromogenic Zn/L components in the clusters can act as efficient sensitizers for lanthanide luminescence, and 1 and 2 exhibit emission from Sm3+ and Nd3+, respectively. Their visible and NIR luminescence properties were investigated.