A series of Eu(III) complexes with pyridine-2-carboxamide (PCA), pyridine-2-carboxaldoxime (PCAO), pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (PDCA) or pyridine-2-methanol (PM) as primary ligands and 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine (DMBP) as ancillary ligand were synthesized. The interaction between the ligands and complexes were confirmed by FT-IR study. The complexes were abbreviated as [Eu(PCA)(3)DMBP]center dot Cl-3 (C1), [Eu (PCAO)(3)DMBP]center dot Cl-3 (C2), [Eu(PDCA)(3)DMBP]center dot Cl-3 (C3) and [Eu(PM)(3)DMBP]center dot Cl-3 (C4). Optical studies were done by UV-vis spectroscopy and PL spectroscopy. The highest intrinsic luminescent quantum yield (53.42%) and lifetime value (1456 mu s) were found for C3. Lowest quantum yield was exhibited by C2. Anion sensing studies of all the complexes were done by UV-vis and PL spectroscopy and it was observed that complex Cl showed remarkable change in optical properties upon addition of F- and HSO4- ions. Thus C1 can be used as optical sensor for F- and HSO4- ions. The FQD for F- and HSO4- ions were found to be 6.55 and 3.58 respectively for C1.