Five new coordination compounds, namely [Zn(Hbtc)(1,3-bix)(H2O)]n (1), {Zn2(µ-O)(btc)(timp)]·3(H2O)}n (2), {[Zn3(4,4′-bibp)2(btc)2(H2O)2]·4(H2O)}n (3), {[Ni3(4,4′-bibp)2(btc)2(H2O)2]·3(H2O)}n (4), {[Cu3(4,4′-bibp)2(btc)2(H2O)]·2(H2O)}n (5), where 1,3 - bix = 1- (3 - (1H -inidazol - 1 − yl)methyl)benzyl)-1H-imidazole, timp = 1- (3,5-di (1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)-1H-imidazole, 4,4′-bibp = 4,4′-bisimidazolylbiphenyl, and btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate anion, were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In compound 1, both 1,3-bix ligand and btc anion act as bidentate bridging ligands, and connect the zinc cations into a one-dimensional chain. In compound 2, timp and btc anions as tridentate ligands coordinate to zinc cations to form a three-dimensional 3,6-connected network. Compounds 3–5 have similar structures, 4,4′-bibp and btc anions act as bidentate and tetradentate ligands, respectively, and coordinate to metal cations to form a three dimensional 4,4-connected network. The luminescence properties for 1–3 and magnetic properties for 4–5 are also discussed in detail.