An unusual compound Zn-1.5(Hsdpa)(bpy)(1.5)(H2O)(4) (1) comprising two isolated coordination polymers has been obtained by hydrothermal reactions, in which helical channels of a 3D host framework A [Zn(Hsdpa) (bpy)(H2O)(2)](-) are filled with the guest infinite 1D polymer chains B [Zn-0.5(bpy)(0.5)(H2O)(2)](+). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.