Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of zero-/two-dimensional Cd(II) and Eu(III) complexes

► Three metal-organic complexes have been synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. ► Reactions of the same ligand with different metal cations result in different coordination modes of carboxylate groups. ► Complexes 1-3 have intense fluorescent emissions in DMSO solution and in the solid-state.