A novel heteronuclear compound. [Na8Zn4(CH3CO2)(16).2H(2)O](n) 1, with an unusual two-dimensional condensed polymeric structure was successfully synthesized. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, a = 9.3332(19) Angstrom, b = 10.511(2) Angstrom, c = 16.152(3) Angstrom, alpha = 79.78(3)degrees, beta = 83.82(3)degrees, gamma = 64.85(3)degrees, V = 1410.6(5) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. The most striking feature of 1 is that the bridging acetate ligands show four coordination modes within one compound. The luminescence studies show strong blue photoluminescence as the result of the fluorescence from the intraligand emission excited state. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.