Reaction of AgNO3 with triethanolaminetriisonicotinate (L) produces 1 D coordination polymer of [Ag3(L)2](NO3)3 and the same treatment of Cu(NO3)2 with L gives 1D coordination polymer of [Cu(L)2](NO3)2. The nonrigid triethanolaminetriisonicotinate acts as a m 3-bridged tridentate for [Ag3(L)2](NO3)3 and a m 2-bridged bidentate for [Cu(L)2](NO3)2 to produce unusual motifs. The NO3- anions can be smoothly exchanged by PF6- anions in an aqueous suspension without destruction of the skeletal structure.