Elaboration, structural characterization, thermal behavior and visible region photoluminescence properties of two series of lanthanide-based coordination polymers

•Two series of Ln-based coordination polymers were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized.•In these structures, fumaric acid and succinic acid were employed as linkers and 1,10-phenanthroline ligand as an antenna.•Thermal behavior of the synthesized compounds was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).•Photoluminescent properties of four compounds were studied to confirm the efficiency of 1,10-phenanthroline as an antenna. Two series of lanthanide-based coordination polymers (CPs) have been prepared by hydrothermal method, the first serie [Pr2(fum)3(phen)2(H2O)2]n(1a), [Ln2(fum)3(phen)2]n (Ln=Er (2a), Yb (3a)) made from 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and fumarate (fum) as ligands, and the second [Ln2(suc)3(phen)2]n (Ln=Dy (1b), Ho (2b), Er (3b)) made from 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and succinate (suc) ligands. Single crystal XRD analysis was performed on 3a and 2b single crystals. The analysis revealed pseudo-3D networks for both compounds, assured by H-bonds and π-π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings of each two parallel opposite phenanthroline ligands. 3a and 2b crystalize in a triclinic system, P1¯ space group. Each Yb3+ and Ho3+ is octa-coordinated forming around him a distorted dodecahedron. The two series of CPs were characterized by Infra-Red spectroscopy, powder XRD and their thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Photoluminescent properties of compounds 1a, 2a, 1b, and 3b were studied in visible region. Their emission spectra showed interesting signatures, which suggest an efficient sensitization provided by phenanthroline ligand.