Synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of two lanthanide coordination polymers with the rigid ligand of 5′-carboxyl-[1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid

► Two novel isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers were successfully prepared. ► The structure was constructed based on lanthanide paddle-wheel building blocks. ► The resulting materials show interesting photoluminescent properties.