We report a facile synthesis of spherical ZnS nanocrystals modified with dianion of 3-ferrocenyl-2-crotonic acid (FCA) from one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymer. Zn(II) coordination polymer has been demonstrated as both precursor and template in the preparation and surface modifications of nanomaterials. Moreover, an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidaz-olium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4) solution system has been designed as an assisting template in this experiment. We demonstrate that the 1-D polymeric chain structure is an excellent template for synthesizing organized assemblies of ZnS nanocrystals at low temperatures and ambient atmosphere. From a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the morphology of the synthesized nanocrystals is spherical and with diameters ranging from 40 to 60 nm. The nanocrystals were further examined by FT-IR and UV-visible absorption spectra. in all, we represent a general strategy which is not only environment friendly but also fast and seedless for the preparation of functional nanomaterials. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.