Synthesis and crystal structure determination of 0D-, 1D- and 3D-metal compounds of 4-(pyrid-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole with zinc(II) and cadmium(II)

► New ligand 4-(pyrid-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole is introduced in coordination chemistry. ► 4-(Pyrid-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole features different coordination modes. ► 4-(Pyrid-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole can bridge between metal atoms to yield networks. ► Homochiral helices in an enantiopure Zn-4-(pyrid-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole network. ► Rare case of metal-bridging SCN ligand.