Synthesis and Luminescence of Ba$_2$ScCl$_7$

New results on luminescence in Ba$_2$ScCl$_7$ are reported. Lanthanides Eu$^{2+}$ and Ce$^{3+}$ 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$^\circ$C. Both activators exhibit strong photoluminescence (PL) originating in transitions from the lowest energy state of 4f$^{n-1}$15d$^1$ configuration to the ground state of 4f$^7$/4f$^1$ configuration. Simple preparation coupled with intense PL prompted us to suggest that these hitherto unexplored phosphors could be exploited for applications such as scintillator.