Two new coordination polymers, [Zn(PyHBIm)(2)(IPA)]center dot 3H(2)O (I), [Cd(PyHBIm)(IPA)(H2O)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions based on 2-(3-pyridyl)benzimidazole (3-PyHBIm) and isophthalic acid (IPA). The complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. They contain simple ID chains and can be assembled into a 3D network through aromatic pi-pi stacking interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions. Their luminescent properties were studied in the solid state at room temperature.