Abstract Coordination polymers and organic–inorganic hybrid materials represent an area of very active research. Halide-bridged polymers of divalent transition or post-transition metals coordinated to donor ligands are reviewed. The article is organized according to structural features of the compounds: the main sections of chain polymers, crosslinked systems and networks of high metal-halide content are subdivided according to connectivity aspects. Structural trends are highlighted and the correlation between chemical composition and topology on the one hand and derived properties and dynamics on the other hand is discussed.