Two novel transition metal complexes of the formulae [Cu(5,5 '-bpdc)(phen)](n) (1) and [Mn(6,6 ' bpdc)(phen)(H2O)]center dot H2O (2) (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 5,5 '-H 2bpdc = 2,2 '-bipyridine-5,5 ' dicarboxylic acid, 6,6 '-H(2)bpdc = 2,2 '-bipyridine-6,6 '-dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The X-ray crystallographic investigation reveals that 1 is a coordination polymer, and its asymmetric structural units are connected by oxygen atoms in the carboxyl group of 5,5 '-bpdc(2-) anion. 2 is a heptacoordination monomer complex with mono-capped trigonal prismatic configuration and its mononuclear molecules are connected by hydrogen bonds to form supramolecular structure. The result of fluorescence shows that 2 has fluorescent property.