Conversion of a highly water-soluble acidic coordination polymer constructed by 1,3-propanediaminetetraacetato zinc nitrate to its bromide and isothiocyanate derivatives

► Addition of zinc nitrate and 1,3-H4pdta results in the formation of water-soluble 1,3-H4pdta zinc coordination polymer. ► Addition of potassium bromide or thiocyanate forms insoluble substitute without change of coordination geometry. ► Solution and solid NMR spectra show the coordinated structure retained in solution.