To establish factors that determine the formation of three-dimensional hybrid structures of metal dicarboxylates involving metal-oxygen-metal linkages, we have investigated metal dicarboxylates derived from 1,2-cyclohexene as well as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids. Thus, we have synthesized a 1,2-cyclohexenedicarboxylate of Cd, [Cd(1,2-CHeDC)(H2O)] (I), a 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate of Pb, [Pb(1,2-CHDC)] (II), and three 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylates of La [La2(1,4-CHDC)3(H2O)4] (III), [La3(1,4-HCHDC)2(1,4-CHDC)5(H2O)2].H2O (IV) and [La2(1,4-CHDC)3(H2O)].2.5 H2O (V) under hydrothermal conditions and determined their structures. A mixed dicarboxylate involving both 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexenedicarboxylates of Pb, [Pb3O(1,3-CHDC)(1,4-CHDC)].0.5 H2O (VI) and a 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate of Pb, [Pb(6)O(2)(1,4-CHDC)3(1,4-HCHDC)2], have also been synthesized and characterized. While the 1,2-dicarboxylates have layered structures, the 1,4-dicarboxylates and the mixed dicarboxylates possess three-dimensional structures. Interestingly, both the 1,2 and 1,4-dicarboxylates are true hybrid compounds composed of infinite M-O-M linkages. The equatorial-equatorial (e,e) conformation is adopted commonly in all these compounds, although less stable conformations are encountered occasionally. The formation of the layered and the three-dimensional structures can be understood based on the relative disposition of the two carboxylic groups, the 1,4-isomer favoring the three-dimensional structure. Based on the results of the present study along with the available literature, we conclude that in order to obtain three-dimensional hybrid structures with metal-oxygen-metal networks, it appears necessary to make use of the 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.