Influence of substituents in 1,10-phenanthroline on the structural and photophysical properties of W(CO)4(1,10-phenanthroline-type) complexes

•Three crystal structures are reported for tetracarbonyl-tungsten complexes.•π-π and M−CO (lone pair)⋯π(aryl) interactions and stabilize the crystal packing.•Substituents in the phen ligand decrease (OC)eq–W–(CO)eq angle.•(OC)eq–W–(CO)eq angle affects the absorption features.•High-energy emission band is favored with smaller (OC)eq–W–(CO)eq angle.•Emission lifetime for the low-energy emission band decreases with smaller (OC)eq–W–(CO)eq angle.