Two new lanthanide complexes, [Eu-2(Pht)(2)(HPht)(2)(Phen)(2)(H2O)(4)] (1) and [Gd(3-CNC6H4COO)(3)(H2O)(2)](n) (2) where Pht(2-) =dianion of o-plithalic acid, HPht(-)= mono-anion of o-phthalic acid, Phen=1,10-phenanthroline, 3-CNC6H4COO=3-cyanobenzoate) have been synthesized and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. The result shows that 1,3-dicyatiobenzene was hydrolyzed to give 3-cyanobenzoate under the hydrothermal condition. The compound 2 forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer, whereas the compound 1 is a dimer. The title complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P (1) over bar, with lattice parameters a= 1.01048(6) nm. b = 1.06755(7) nm, c = 1.19266(8) nm, alpha = 90.188(3)degrees, beta = 99.526(2)degrees, gamma = 100.981(2)degrees, V= 1.24479(14) nm(3), Z= 1, D-c= 1.861 Mg/m(3). The title complex 2 crystallizes also in the triclinic system, space group P (1) over bar, with lattice parameters a=0.93749(9) nm, b= 1.14943(10) tim, c= 1.27024(11) nm, alpha=90.188(3)degrees, beta= 73.788(5)degrees, gamma= 86.757(5)degrees, V= 1.19389(19) nm(3), Z=2, D-c= 1.757 Mg/m(3). The photophysical property of 1 has been studied with excitation and emission spectra, which exhibits strong red emission.