[en] Four new open-framework coordination polymers of lanthanide 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylates, with the formulas Pr2(pydc)₃(H₂O)₂ (1), Ln(pydc)(Hpydc) (Ln=Tb (2), Er (3), Eu (5)), and Gd(pydc)(nic)(H₂O) (4) (H₂pydc=2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, Hnic=nicotinic acid), have been hydrothermally synthesized and four of them (except Eu (5)) have been structurally characterized. Complex 1 consists of two types of ligand-binding modes contributing to link the PrO₇N(H₂O) polyhedral chains to three-dimensional (3D) open-framework architecture. Complexes 2 and 3 are isostructural and feature unique 3D cage-like supramolecular frameworks remarkably different from that of 1, owing to the different ligand-bridging pattern. Complex 4, however, has the distinct 3D open-framework architecture due to the presence of unexpected nicotinate ligands, which may be derived from pydc ligands via in-situ decarboxylation under the hydrothermal condition. - Graphical abstract: Four new lanthanide coordination polymers have been hydrothermally synthesized by the reaction of 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid with the corresponding lanthanide nitrates, and they show three types of 3D open-framework architecture. Complexes 2 and 5 show strong characteristic green (or red) luminescence and long lifetimes