Tuning structural topology of zinc(II)-benzoate coordination complexes with 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene by controlling metal-to-ligand ratios and solvent systems: Their photoluminescence and catalytic activities

► Zinc-benzoates can be rationally tuned to form four types of structures with a bpe ligand. ► The structures were controlled by zinc(benzoate)-to-ligand ratios and solvent systems. ► Compounds catalyzed efficiently the transesterification of a variety of esters.