LAUSR

Two types of Zn–Ln nanoclusters [Nd2Zn2L2(L′)2(OAc)2(NO3)2(H2O)2] (1) and [Ln6Zn6L2(L′′)2O2(OAc)18] (Ln = Nd (2) and Sm (3)) were prepared using one long Schiff base ligand (H2L) with a naphthyl backbone and two short polydentate ligands (H2L′ and H2L′′). 1 and 2–3 show linear and planar structures with sizes of approximately 10 × 10 × 30 A and 10 × 15 × 22 A, respectively. The chromogenic Zn/ligand components can act as efficient sensitizers for lanthanide luminescence, and thus 1–3 show visible and NIR emissions. In these clusters, the Schiff base ligands display a “U-shaped” configuration, which is suitable to form π⋯π interactions and hydrogen bonds with nitro aromatic compounds. Interestingly, Zn–Sm cluster 3 shows visible and NIR luminescence sensing of nitro explosives and exhibits high sensitivity to 1,4-DNB and TNT at the ppb level.