In searching for coordination polymers containing the highly polarized 5-nitro-pyrimidin-2-olate ligand (NP), a number of species containing 3d transition metals have been prepared and characterized, namely Co(NP)(2)(H2O)(4), [Co(NP)(2)](n), Ni(NP)(2)(H2O)(4), Ni(NP)(2)](x), and [Zn(NP)(2)](n). Their structures have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction methods. The hydrated compounds contain mononuclear M(NP)(2)(H2O)(4) units interconnected by means of a three dimensional (3D) network of hydrogen bonds. The homoleptic species, at variance from the already known metal (II) pyrimidin-2-olate ones, crystallize as two-dimensional (2D) slabs, where the metal coordination is of the MN3O kind. The electron-withdrawing nitro group, never bound to the metal ion, is likely to influence the observed stereochemistry through steric and dipolar effects within the crystal lattice. The thermal, spectroscopic, and magnetic properties of these species are presented. The M(NP)(2)(H2O)(4)/[M(NP)(2)](x),(n) systems interconvert reversibly upon dehydration/rehydration processes.