Synthesis and Luminescence of Ba.sub.2ScCl.sub.7

New results on luminescence in Ba.sub.2ScCl.sub.7 are reported. Lanthanides Eu.sup.2+ and Ce.sup.3+ were chosen as activators. The phosphors could be prepared by a simple wet chemical method. Reduction of europium to the divalent form could be achieved at 400°C. Both activators exhibit strong photoluminescence (PL) originating in transitions from the lowest energy state of 4 f .sup.n .sup.- 15d.sup.1 configuration to the ground state of 4 f .sup.7/4 f .sup.1 configuration. Simple preparation coupled with intense PL prompted us to suggest that these hitherto unexplored phosphors could be exploited for applications such as scintillator.