Bioinspired cross-linking of preceramic polymers via metal ion coordination bonding

•Metal ion coordinating preceramic polymers were inspired by biological systems and synthesized via post polymerization polymer modification.•Metal ion concentration influences degree of preceramic polymer crosslinking, effecting rheology and ceramic yield.•Zinc ions serve as a transient processing aid, allowing for conversion of polysiloxane to ceramic, yet Zn does not appear in the final product due to its evaporation at high temperature.•Ceramic nanocomposites of SiC with TiC or Y-based compounds formed through the conversion of polymers cross-linked with Ti4+ or Y3+.•Highly modular and tailorable polymers allow for the production of a variety of ceramic compositions through the simple substitution and chelation of inexpensive metal ions.