Eight coordination polymers {[Co(bib)(ndc)]center dot 0.5H(2)O}(n) (1), {[Co(bib)(0.5)(aip)]center dot H2O}(n) (2), [Co(bib)(adc)](n) (3), {[CO2(bib)(adc)(2)]center dot 0.5H(2)O}(n) (4), {[Ni-2(bib)(adc)(2)]center dot 0.5H(2)O}(n) (5), [Ni(bib)(hip)](n) (6), [Cd-2(bib)(bdc)(2)](n) (7) and [Cd-2(bib)(bda)(2)](n) (8) were synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction (bib = 1,4-bis(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)butane, ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate, aip = 5-aminoisophthalate, adc = 1,3-adamantanedicar-boxylate, hip = 5-hydroxyisophthalate, bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate, bda = 1,4-benzenediacetate). 1 consists of an unusual 4-fold interpenetrating 4-connected 3D dia network. 2 exhibits an unusual (3,4)-connected 2D network with the point symbol of (6.8(2))(6(4).8.10). 3 is an undulated 2D (4,4) network. 4 and 5 are isostructural showing the 1D triple-stranded chain with double adc and one bib bridges. 6 shows a special 2D (6,3) network, with six Ni(II) atoms at six corners and four hip and two double bib at six edges. 7 exhibits an unusual 6-connected self-catenated 3D network based on Cd-2(COO)(2) dimer. 8 exhibits a 3-fold interpenetrating 3D pcu network based on Cd-2(COO)(2) dimer. The diverse structures reveal that the metal centers and biscarboxylate building blocks play a significant role in the construction of the observed motifs. 1-4 exhibit good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange. 7 and 8 exhibit the strong blue luminescence emissions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.