An appropriate definition of metallosupramolecular coordination polymer is offered, and the relationship between the polymer length, binding constant, and concentration is clarified. The possibility of influencing the binding constant with chelating ligands is discussed on the basis of examples of different Zn2+ complexes and their respective binding constants. In the main part, coordination polymers constructed by a supramolecular approach from different metal ions and pyridine-ligand systems are highlighted, and their applications as functional materials for artificial membrane and enzyme models, responsive gels, light-harvesting systems, and organic light-emitting diodes are discussed on the basis of individual examples. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.