The reactions between ligand 1,4-di(3-pyridyl)buta-1,3-diyne (L) and the differently P-substituted dithiophosphato [Ni((RO)(2)PS2)(2)] [R=Me (1), Et (2)] and dithiophosphonato [Ni((4-MeOC6H4)(RO)PS2)(2)] [R=Me (3), Et (4)] nickel complexes have been performed, and the solid state structures of the resulting coordination polymers [1<bold>L</bold>]-[4<bold>L</bold>] investigated. L acts as spacer between the complex units driving the formation of zig-zag polymeric chains. Inter-chain interactions involving the P-substituents have been discussed and the different supramolecular 3D-constructs described. The L donor ability has been confirmed also by spectrophotometric determination of the formation constants of the species 12L, 22L and 12L, and by theoretical studies. [GRAPHICS] The reactivity of the ligand 1,4-di(3-pyridyl)buta-1,3-diyne (L) towards differently P-substitued phosphorodithioato Ni-II complexes along with the equilibrium formation constants in solution, and the solid state structures of the resulting coordination polymers [1.L](infinity), [2.L](infinity), [3.L](infinity), and [4.L](infinity) are presented.