Two coordination compounds, namely [Ce(3,5-Br2BC)3(3,5-HBr2BC)]n(1) and [Zn(3,5-Br2BC)2(phen)](2, 3,5-HBr2 BC = 3,5-dibromobenzoic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were assembled. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that compound 1 possesses a 1D chain coordination network, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular architecture via Br···Br and Br···O halogen bonding. Compound 2 consists of a mononuclear molecule, which is assembled to a 3D supramolecular framework through C–H···O hydrogen bond, π-π stacking interactions and Br···π halogen bonding. Luminescent and magnetic properties of both compounds have also been studied.