Construction of a nanoscale Yb(III) Schiff base complex with NIR luminescence response to anions and nitro explosives

Abstract

A nanoscale Yb(III) complex [Yb6(L1)2(L2)4(OH)4(CF3SO3)2(DMF)2(EtOH)4]·2(CF3SO3)·2OH (1) with Schiff base ligand N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)(binaphthyl)-1,4-diamine (H2L1) and salicylaldehyde ligand 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde (H2L2) was synthesized. Upon excitation of the ligand-centered absorption bands, 1 displays typical NIR luminescence of Yb(III). Interestingly, it shows lanthanide luminescence response to anions and nitro explosives, especially with high sensitivity to F− and PA. Meanwhile, the quenching effect of F− and PA to the lanthanide luminescence of 1 is not affected by the existence of other anions and explosives.