Five one-dimensional coordination polymers, Ni(BDC)(1,10-phen) (1), Ni(BDC)(2,2'-bipy).0.75H(2)BDC (2), Ni(BDC)(1,10-phen)(H2O) (3), Ni(BDC)(1,10-phen)(H2O).0.5H(2)BDC (4) and Ni(BDC)(2,2'-bipy)(H20) (5) [where BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, 2,2-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] that have the same topology but markedly different geometry and packing of the chains have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. The results of variations of synthesis conditions and substitutions of 1, 10-phenanthroline with 2,2'-bipyridine indicate that incorporation of the coordinating water molecule, which affects the degree of bending of the chain, is primarily influenced by the amine ligand size, suggesting a substantial structural role of aromatic-aromatic interactions and amine ligand steric effects. The incorporation of the guest H2BDC molecules was found to be favored by lower pH conditions. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 9.5589(6) Angstrom, b = 12.6776(8) Angstrom, c = 13.5121(9) Angstrom,beta = 95.437(1)degrees, Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 20.532(3) Angstrom, b = 21.505(3) Angstrom, c = 18.872(3) Angstrom, beta = 93.86(1)degrees, Z = 16; 3, triclinic, space group P1, a = 8.618(3) Angstrom, b = 10.058(4) Angstrom, c = 11.353(4) Angstrom, alpha = 115.31 (1)degrees, beta = 92.33(1)degrees, gamma= 94.03(1)degrees, Z = 2; 4, triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.7682(12) Angstrom, b = 10.6490(13) Angstrom, c = 11.2468(14)Angstrom, alpha 76.685(2)degrees, beta = 65.309(2)', gamma = 85.612(2)', Z = 2; 5, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 13.9683(9) Angstrom, b = 17.4489(11) Angstrom, c = 13.7737(9) Angstrom, beta = 99.12(1)degrees, Z = 8.