The structure of the dimer [Eu(m-MOBA) 3 .2,2'-bipy] 2 (m-MOBA: m-methoxybenzoate, 2,2'-bipy: 2,2'-bipyridine) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each europium atom is coordinated with two oxygen atoms of the chelated carboxyl group, four oxygen atoms of the bidentate bridging carboxylate groups and two nitrogen atoms from a 2,2'-bipyridine molecule forming a dimeric structure with coordination number 8. The luminescence behaviour of the Eu 3 + ion in [Eu(m-MOBA) 3 .2,2'-bipy] 2 was observed at 77K. The emission spectra of 5 D 1 -> 7 F J (J=1-3) and 5 D 0 -> 7 F J (J=0-4) transitions were measured. The complex displays intense luminescence and the Eu 3 + ions in the dimer occur in slightly different chemical environments.