The reaction of Group 12 metal dihalides MX(2) with the P,N-ligands [Fe(C5H4PPh2)(C5H4-2-py)] (1) (2-py = pyrid-2-yl), [Fe(C5H4PPh2)(C5H4CH2-2-py)] (2) and [Fe(C5H4PPh2)(C5H4-3-py)] (3) (3-py = pyrid-3-yl) was investigated. For a 1 : 1 molar ratio of MX2 and the respective ligand, three structure types were found in the solid state, viz. chelate, cyclic dimer and chain-like coordination polymer.