A series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based upon the ligand 2,6-diphenyl-1,4-dibenzoic acid [Ph2C6H2(CO2H)(2)](infinity) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The networks exhibit a variety of topologies and coordination modes at the metal center. The reaction of the ligand with cobalt(II) nitrate or zinc(II) nitrate in methanol/pyridine results in the formation of isostructural 1-D chains [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)(2))M(py)(2)(MeOH)](infinity), where M = Zn, Co; however, in the presence of ethanol and triethylamine, Zn(NO3)(2) reacts to form a 2-D clay-like network, [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)(2))Zn(EtOH)(2)](infinity) 2-D networks are also formed in similar reactions with copper(II) nitrate or silver(l) nitrate to give [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)(CO2H))(2)Cu(py)(2)](infinity), [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)CO2H)(2)Cu(py)(4)center dot 2H(2)O](infinity), and [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)(2))Ag-2]infinity, respectively. The hydrogen-bonded chains formed by the ligand alone and with 4,4'-dipyridyl are also described.