Structural characterization of [S(CH(2)CH(2)pz(Me2))(2)]ZnCl2 by X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the potentially tridentate [NNS] donor ligand S(CH(2)CH(2)pz(Me2))(2) does not coordinate via sulfur, but only binds through the pyrazolyl groups. Furthermore, the ligand does not chelate, but preferentially bridges two zinc centers, thereby resulting in a polymeric, helical, structure. In contrast to the zinc system, the thioether functionality does bind to cadmium in related derivatives, [S(CH(2)CH(2)pz(Me2))(2)]CdI2 and [S(CH(2)CH(2)pz(Me2))(2)]Cd(NO3)(2). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.