A series of phenylphosphonates, Zn(1-x)Mn(x)(O(3)PC(6)H(5)) x H(2)O, where x = 0, 0.005, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0, has been prepared and their photoluminescence responses studied. The presence of Mn in the sample results in a red emission, whilst when x = 0 the emission is green. Levels of Mn <1 mol% result in an orange emission. Ag(6)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2) has been prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Ag(NO(3)) and m-phosphonobenzoic acid. The material has a 1D channel structure in which the channels are lined with the phenyl groups. Ag(6)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2) shows a green luminescence response to laser excitation, whilst the related Zn material, Zn(3)(m-O(3)PC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2), shows an unusual yellow emission.