Two nickel(II) and two zinc(II) coordination polymers, namely {[Ni(mu-5-Clnic)(mu(3)-5-Clnic)(mu-H2O)(0.5)]center dot 1.5H(2)O}(n) (1), [Ni(5-Clnic)(mu-5-Clnic)(H(2)biim)](n) (2), [Zn(5-Clnic)(mu-5-Clnic)(H(2)biim)](n) (3) and {[Zn(5-Clnic)(mu-5-Clnic)(phen)]center dot 2H(2)O}(n) (4), have been constructed hydrothermally using 5-ClnicH (5-ClnicH=5-chloronicotinic acid), phen (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), H(2)biim (H(2)biim=2,2'-biimidazole), and nickel or zinc chlorides. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that four polymers crystallize in the monoclinic, orthorhombic (2, 3) or triclinic systems, space groups I2/a, Pbcn (2, 3) or P (1) over bar. Polymer 1 possesses a 3D metal-organic framework based on dinuclear units. Polymers 2 similar to 4 show 1D chains, which are further extended into a 2D supramolecular network or 3D supramolecular framework through N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds or Cl center dot center dot center dot Cl interactions. Magnetic and luminescent properties of all compounds have been studied. CCDC: 1859598, 1; 1859599, 2; 1859600, 3; 1859601, 4.