Two novel coordination polymers incorporating mercury(II) iodide, [Hg (tmp)I 2 ] n (1) (tmp=4,4'-trimethylene dipyridine) and [Hg(azobpy)I 2 ] n (2) (azobpy=3,3'-azobispyridine), have been synthesized via the self-assembly reaction in solution. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Complex 1 is the first 1D wave-shaped adduct containing HgI 2 . Complex 2 is a 3D supramolecular framework constructed from HgI 2 -azobpy zigzag chains linked mutually through Hg...I interaction. The optical limiting effects were studied by Z-scan technology with an 8 ns-pulsed laser at 532 nm. Their limiting thresholds were determined to be 0.8 J cm - 2 for 1 and 0.4 J cm - 2 for 2, which are comparable to those of many heterothiometallates.