A novel erbium(III)-carboxylate polymeric complex [{Er(H(2)btec)(2/4)(btec)(3/6)(H2O)}center dot 2H(2)O](n) , simplified as ECPC, (H(4)btec=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions (H2O/acetic acid). ECPC obtained was characterized by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and FT-IR analysis techniques. The result of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the ECPC crystallizes in monoclinic symmetry, and the space group P2(1)/n, a=10.6933(15) angstrom, b=7.1243(10) angstrom, c=17.092(2) angstrom, alpha=gamma=90 degrees, beta=97.109(2)degrees, V=1292.1(3) angstrom(3), Z=4, R-1=0.0286, wR(2)=0.0686. ECPC demonstrates a 3-D supramolecular framework containing nine-coordinate erbium centers and channels. The uncoordinated water molecules occupy the channels in ECPC. The results of TG/DTA, IR and elemental analysis performed also give positive information of the proposed crystal structure.