A one-dimensional chiral cobalt(II) coordination polymer, namely, catena-poly[[[(S)-2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoato-κ2N,O1]cobalt(II)]-μ-(S)-2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoato-κ4O1,O3:N,O1′], [Co(C3H6NO3)2]n or Δ-[Co(l-Ser-κ2N,O)2]n (l-Ser = l-serine) (1), has been synthesized and characterized using elemental and thermal analyses, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The asymmetric unit of 1 consists of two serine anions which are coordinated to a Co2+ ion to give three chelate rings. These extend the structure into a helical chain with pendant chelate rings which participate in interchain hydrogen bonding. The ability of 1 to undergo transmetallation was evaluated. Among a range of divalent metal ions, only copper(II) partially replaced cobalt(II).