Organic nanowires based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid were synthesized in terms of hydrothermal method. Substrate that is necessary for other nanowires to grow tip was no longer needed in the present case. The resultant rod-like nanowires 50-100 nm in diameter and 10-20 mu m in length consist of coordinate Structure established by complexation between zinc ions, acetoxyl groups and p-hydroxybenzoic acid's carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl Through careful observation with !;canning electron microscope, it is known that formation of the nanowires experienced nucleation. growing and shaping stages, following vapor-liquid-solid mechanism The synthetic route is simple, and easy to be monitored owing to the mild reaction conditions The work might open up new opportunities for nanodevice fabrication with organic nanowires rather than conventional metal and semiconductor ones. (C) 2009 Elsevier B V All rights reserved.