Two mixed-ligand compounds, namely [Mn₂(bimb)(PA)₂]_n (1) and [Zn(bimb)(PA)]_n (2) (H₂PA = pamoic acid, bimb = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)-butane) have been synthesized under the same solvothermal conditions. Compound 1 can be described as (4,4) topology based on the 4-connected [Mn₂(COO)₄] paddle-wheel units, which contains both rotaxane- and catenane-like motifs. For 2, the 2D wavy-like network interlocked with each other and resulted in a 2-fold interpenetrated 2D → 3D architecture. The structural differences of the two compounds are mainly due to the differences of metal ions and coordination modes of the PA^2- ligand. In addition, the magnetism and photoluminescent properties of them have also been explored.