New tetra-iron(III) (K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and K3[2]·3H2O·(OH)) and di-copper(II) (Na3[3]·5H2O) complexes as carbohydrate binding models have been synthesized and fully characterized used several techniques including single crystal X-ray crystallography. Whereas K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and Na3[3]·5H2O are completely water-soluble, K3[2]·3H2O·(OH) is less soluble in all common solvents including water. The binding of substrates, such as d-mannose, d-glucose, d-xylose, and xylitol with the water-soluble complexes in different reaction conditions were investigated. In aqueous alkaline media, complexes K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and Na3[3]·5H2O showed coordination ability toward the applied substrates. Even in the presence of stoichiometric excess of the substrates, the complexes form only 1:1 (complex/substrate) molar ratio species in solution. Apparent binding constants, pKapp, values between the complexes and the substrates were determined and specific mode of substrate binding is proposed. The pKapp values showed that d-mannose coordinates strongest to K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and Na3[3]·5H2O. Syntheses, characterizations and detailed substrate binding study using spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction are reported.