Three new one-dimensional coordination polymers have been prepared using Hg(II), Ag(I) and Zn(II) inorganic salts in combination with 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L6). The compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. In the solid state, compounds 1 and 3 (1: monoclinic, P2(1) /n, a = 5.5373 (3) Angstrom, b = 16.7839(9) Angstrom, c = 16.8120(9) Angstrom, beta = 92.8610(10)degrees, V = 1560.52(15) Angstrom(3), Z = 4; 3: monoclinic, P2(1) /n, a = 7.2958(4) Angstrom, b = 11.7214(6) Angstrom, c = 16.3979(9) Angstrom, beta = 101. 1150(10)degrees, V 1375.99(13) Angstrom(3), Z = 4) feature novel one-dimensional helical chain motif. Compound 2, however, (2: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 5.5506(4) Angstrom, b = 16.5895(12) Angstrom, c = 16.6871(11) Angstrom, beta = 95.424(2)degrees, V = 1529.70(19) Angstrom(3), Z =4) exhibits one-dimensional zigzag chain motif, which result from the different conformations adopted by the L6 ligand and also the different metal coordination geometry. The luminescent properties of three new compounds were investigated in the solid state. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.