We synthesized by wet chemical route a novel europium-potassium phthalate complex Eu3+K+[(COO)(2)(C6H4)](2). The compound is a white powder insoluble in water. X-ray diffraction evaluation shows that we obtained a new crystalline compound with no traces of the starting materials (potassium hydrogen phthalate and europium chloride). Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the powder consists of fiber-shaped structures with sizes larger than 250 nm in diameter. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis proves that the compound has a 1:1 europium-potassium ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of the phthalate in the new compound. Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence measurements show that the fiber-shaped structures are intensely luminescent with emission bands corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 1-4) Eu (III) ion's transitions in the region between 580 nm and 700 nm, the most intense maximum being observed around 615 nm. Up-converted luminescence with a maximum at 315 nm was recorded. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.