A tetradentate ligand of 2-phenyl-4,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidine (L) has been synthesized and its complexes with $ZnI_2$ and CuI have been obtained by hydrothermal method. single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that ligand L coordinates with Zn(II) ions to form a simple four-coordinate di-nuclear complex, while the complexation of L with Cu(I) constructs a one-dimensional chain polymer. The existence of $I^-$ ion hampers the L to assemble grid-type complexes with Zn(II) and Cu(I). Fluorescence spectra show that the L emits blue fluorescence while its Cu(I) polymer decrease the fluorescence intensity and Zn(II) complex quenches the fluorescence.