Construction of monomers and chains assembled by 3d/4f metals and 4′-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine

► Compounds of 4′-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine were synthesized. ► [Ni(L)2]·5H2O and [Co(L)2]·5H2O are monomers. ► [Zn(L)2]n·0.5nH2O and [Ln(L)3]n display chain-like structures.