The structure of the title compound, (C10H10N3)(2)[ZnCl4], is composed of C10H9N3H+ ( DPAH(+)) cations and [ ZnCl4](2-) anions. The two pyridyl rings of DPAH+ are approximately coplanar, with a dihedral angle of 7.2 ( 2)degrees between their corresponding least-squares planes. The proton is disordered in a one-to-one ratio over the two chemically equivalent pyridyl N atoms. An intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the pyridinium H atom and the pyridyl N atom of the other pyridyl ring. The Zn atom lies on a twofold rotation axis. There are also some weak N-H center dot center dot center dot Cl hydrogen bonds. These interactions lead to the formation of an alternating zigzag chain in the solid state. The results clearly show that reducing agents normally used in hydrothermal syntheses, such as metallic zinc employed here, are also active in terms of coordination chemistry.