Zn and Cu based infinite coordination polymers (ICPs) with nanoparticle morphologies have been successfully synthesized through facile precipitation and hydrothermal methods. These infinite coordination polymers are composed of the infinite-chain of the M2+ and bi-carboxylic ligand, 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-(1,4-phenylene bis(methanylylidene)) bis(azanylylidene)) dibenzoic acid. The formation of Zn-ICP and Cu-ICP is evidenced by elemental and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analyses. The scanning electron microscopy images show the monodispersed particles with diameters about 56 and 76 nm for Cu and Zn-ICPs, respectively. The possible mechanism for the ICP formation is proposed. Subsequently, these infinite coordination polymers were used as precursors for the preparation of crystalline metal oxide particles by calcination route. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.