The infinite one-dimensional chain polymer catena-poly[[bis[micro-1,1'-ethane-1,2-diylbis(1,2,4-triazole)-kappa(2)N(4):N(4')]bis[azidozinc(II)]]-di-micro-azido-kappa(4)N(1):N(1)].

In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Zn(N(3))(2)(C(6)H(8)N(6))](n) or [Zn(N(3))(2)(bte)](n), where bte is micro-1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane, each Zn atom is pentacoordinated in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment involving two N atoms from two bte ligands and three N atoms from three azide ligands. The Zn atoms are bridged by micro-1,1-azide groups and bte ligands around a centre of inversion, forming an infinite one-dimensional chain containing both four-membered Zn(micro-1,1-N(3))(2)Zn and 18-membered Zn(gauche-bte)(2)Zn rings.