Thiacalixarene assembled heterotrinuclear lanthanide clusters comprising Tb(III) and Yb(III) enable f-f communication to enhance Yb(III)-centred luminescence.

A mixture of heterotrinuclear lanthanide cluster complexes, Tb3-xYbxTCAS2 (x = 1, 2), was obtained by mixing thiacalix[4]arene-p-tetrasulfonate (TCAS), Tb(III), and Yb(III), which shows enhanced Yb(III)-centred luminescence and shortened lifetime for Tb(III)-centred luminescence as compared to Yb3TCAS2 and Tb3TCAS2, indicating f-f communication, i.e., energy transfer from Tb(III) to Yb(III).