Based on phenanthroline derivate ligand and Zn(ii), two novel coordination polymers, namely [Zn(L)(hta)]
n
(1) and {[Zn2(L)2(dhb)2]·H2O}
n
(2) (L = 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, H2hta = heptanedioic acid, and H2dhb = 3,5-dinitro-2-hydroxybenzoic acid), have been synthesized under the hydrothermal condition. For 1, each hta anion bridges two Zn(ii) atoms in a tridentate mode to shape into a chain structure and through different π–π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The L ligand of 2 connects two neighbouring Zn(ii) atoms to give a 1D chain, which is further extended into the 2D supramolecular layer.