A series of lanthanide complexes based on tetraphenyl imidodiphosphate ligand have been prepared in order to investigate the ligand ability to act as a sensitiser for f-f based luminescence for the visible and NIR emitting ions. Furthermore, novel bimetallic luminescent lanthanide complexes based on two imidodiphosphate binding sites have been prepared for the examination of dinuclear lanthanide complexes formation. The sensitising properties of the bistpOp have been investigated by luminescence spectroscopy. A new ligand based on biphenyl sensitisers has been developed utilising an imidodiphosphate binding site. The lanthanide complexes have been prepared and their photophysical properties analysed.