By modulating the synthetic strategy based on changing metal salt used in the synthesis, four new metal(II) complexes, [Cu(H 2 O) 3 (MIBA) 2 ]·H 2 O (1), [Ni 2 (H 2 O) 6 (MIBA) 4 ] n (2), [Co(MIBA) 2 ] n (3) and [Zn(MIBA) 2 ] n (4) constructed by 4-(1H-2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid...