The complex ［Eu(PABA)3(phen)(H2O)］·2H2O (HPABA=p-aminobenzate, phen=1,10-phenanthroline) was obtained by hydrothermal method. It is mononuclear molecule containing {EuO7N2} unit. The coordination number of Eu3+ ion is nine, forming a distorted monocapped square antipriosm. The molecules are linked by hydrogen bonding to a three-dimensional structure. The complex displays a bright red light under ultraviolet lamp. The emission peaks of the fluorescence spectra of the complex are at 595 and 618 nm, corresponding to the 5D0→7F1 and 5D0→7F2 transitions of Eu3+ ion. In addition, the effects of different anions, metal ions and solvents on the fluorescence of the complex was studied. The experimental results show that this complex could be a potential luminescent probe for detecting F-, Pb2+ and nitrobenzene based on fluorescence quenching mechanism.