In the title complex, [Zn(C(8)H(3)NO(6))(C(4)H(6)N(2))(2)](n), the carboxyl-ate groups of the 3-nitro-phthalate dianion ligand coordinate the Zn(II) ion in a bis-monodentate mode. The Zn(II) ion shows distorted tetra-hedral coordination as it is bonded to two O atoms from the carboxyl-ate groups of symmetry-related 3-nitro-phthalate anions and two N atoms of two independent 1-methyl-imidazole mol-ecules. The bridging 3-nitro-phthalate ligand allows the formation of one-dimensional chains in the c direction. The crystal structure is further stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.