A NIR luminescent octanuclear Zn(II)–Nd(III) nanocluster 1 was constructed by the use of a salen-type Schiff base ligand. 1 exhibits a lanthanide luminescent response to Que with high sensitivity. The quenching constant of Que to the lanthanide emission is 2.6 × 104 M−1, and the detection limit of 1 to Que is 2.5 μM. The response behavior of 1 to Que is not affected by the existence of some potential interferents such as biomolecules.
