Syntheses, structures, and photoluminescence of a series of d10 coordination complexes from N,N′-bidentate imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid

► Four new complexes have been hydrothermally synthesized. ► Phenanthroline's derivative and aromatic carboxylic acid were used as the ligands. ► Photoluminescent spectra of four complexes indicate intense fluorescent emissions.