Isomer plays a significant role in the formation of coordination compounds. Reactions of isomeric 5-(n-pyridyl)tetrazole-2-isopropionic acid (denoted as Hn-pytzipa, n=2, 3) with Pb(NO3)2 under solvothermal conditions afforded two compounds with the same formula [Pb(2-pytzipa)2]n (1) and [Pb(3-pytzipa)2]n (2), respectively. In compound 1, 2-pytzipa acts as a tetradentate ligand via the pyridine-N and the tetrazole-N in a chelating mode and the carboxylate group in a μ1,3-COO chelating mode. In contrast, 3-pytzipa in compound 2 acts as a tridentate ligand by only the pyridine-N and the carboxylate group in a μ1,3-COO chelating mode, whereas all the nitrogen atoms of the tetrazole ring are uncoordinated. Compound 1 shows a ladder-like chain while compound 2 displays a wave like chain. In addition, the photoluminescence properties of these ligands and compounds 1 and 2 in the solid state were investigated at room temperature. The thermal behavior of such compounds were also discussed.