Nine novel coordination polymers, namely, [ZnL(bpmp)_0.5]·3H₂O (1), [Zn₂L₂(bibp)₂]·H₂O (2), [ZnL(bpp)]·7H₂O (3), [Zn₂L₂(bidpe)₂]·2H₂O (4), [Zn₃L₃(bpmp)_0.5·(H₂O)₂] (5), [ZnL(bibpip)₂]·3H₂O (6), [ZnL(bpmb)] (7), [ZnL(bib)]·DMF·4H₂O (8) and [ZnL(bibp)]·2DMF (9) [H₂L = 4,4′-(phenylazanediyl)dibenzoic acid, bpmp = 1,4-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)piperazine, bibp = 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-yl)biphenyl, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane, bidpe = 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether, bibpip = 1,4-bis(4-(1H-imidazol-l-yl)benzyl)piperazine, bpmb = 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethoxy)benzene and bib = 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane], have been synthesized under solvothermal and hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 exhibits an infinite 3D structure with a {4⁴·6¹⁰·8} topology. Compound 2 features an unusual two-fold interpenetrating 3D framework with a {3¹⁹·4¹⁷·5⁹} topology. Compound 3 shows interweaving helical chains. Compound 4 exhibits 2-fold 1D chains mutually interpenetrating each other forming 2D sheets. Compound 5 exhibits an unusual 2D wave-like sheet. Compound 6 shows a 5-fold interpenetrating framework. Compound 7 displays a 1D chain. Compound 8 also has a (4,4) layer structure which can be split into interesting helixes. Compound 9 shows three-fold interpenetrating sheets which are stacked in an ABAB fashion and form a 3D framework. Their photochemical properties were also measured.