Two new coordination polymers {[Zn2L1(2,2’-bpy)2(H2O)2]·4H2O}n(1) and [Zn2L2(2,2’-bpy)2(H2O)2]n(2)(H4L1 = terphenyl-2,2’,4,4’-tetracarboxylic acid, H4L2 = quarterphenyl-2,2’,4,4’-tetracarboxylic acid, and 2,2’-bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies. Complex 1 displays 2D wavelike networks, which are further joined together through O–H···O hydrogen bonds to give a 3D supramolecular network. Complex 2 exhibits 1D ladder-like chains, and they are further joined together by π-π stacking and O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular network. The results indicate that the backbone of carboxylate ligands has significant effects on the formation and structure of the resulting functional coordination polymers. Additionally, thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 are also investigated in detail. Two new coordination polymers {[Zn2L1 (2,2’-bpy) 2 (H2O) 2] 4H2O} n (1) and [Zn2L2 (2,2’-bpy) 2 (H2O) 2] n H4L1 = terphenyl-2,2 ’, 4,4’-tetracarboxylic acid, H4L2 = quarterphenyl-2,2’, 4,4’-tetracarboxylic acid and 2,2’-bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies. Complex 1 displays 2D wavelike networks, which are further joined together by O-H ··· O hydrogen bonds to give a 3D supramolecular network. Complex 2 exhibits 1D ladder-like chains, and they are further further joined by π-π stacking and O-H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular network. The results indicate that backbone of carboxylate ligands has significant effects on the formation and structure of the resulting functional coordination polymers. Additionally, thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 are also investigated in detail.