For
the first time, hexanuclear complexes with general chemical formula
[Ln<sub>6</sub>O(OH)<sub>8</sub>(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub><i>n</i></sub>]<sup>2+</sup> with <i>n</i> = 12 for Ln = Sm–Lu and Y and <i>n</i> = 14 for Ln = Pr and Nd were stabilized as nanoaggregates in ethylene
glycol (EG). These unprecedented nanoaggregates were structurally
characterized by <sup>89</sup>Y and <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectroscopy,
UV–vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopies, electrospray
ionization mass spectrometry, diffusion ordered spectroscopy, transmission
electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. These nanoaggregates
present a 200 nm mean solvodynamic diameter. In these nanoaggregates,
hexanuclear complexes are isolated and solvated by EG molecules. The
replacement of ethylene glycol by 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol provides
new nanoaggregates that present an antenna effect toward lanthanide
ions. This results in a significant enhancement of the luminescence
properties of the aggregates and demonstrates the suitability of the
strategy for obtaining highly tunable luminescent solutions
