A new lead complex, { [Pb(4-sb)(phen)] (4,4 ′ -bipy) 0.5 } n (1) (where 4-sb = 4-sulfobenzoate dianion, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4 ′ -bipy = 4,4 ′ -bipyridine), was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray, infrared, and thermogravimetric analyses and fluorescence studies. In this compound, the lead atom is hexacoordinated by two N atoms of one phen ligand and four O atoms from three 4-sb dianions. Each 4-sb serves as a bridging ligand, connecting adjacent Pb II atoms into a centrosymmetric polymeric chain. Intermolecular π -π interactions and hydrogen bonds are observed in the complex, which stabilize the crystal packing and give rise to three-dimensional architecture.