Self-assembly of the fluorescent mixed-complex salt [Zn(HL)(phen)2][Zn(L)(HL)(phen)]·13H2O (1) [HL = methyllactato(−1) and L = methyllactato(−2)] created an ‘ice-like’ three-dimensional open framework by hydrogen-bonded crystallisation water molecules that encapsulates an infinite stacking chains result of the intercalation of phenanthroline ligands of complex ions.