A new zinc(II) compound, [Zn-2(Hsal)(4)(4,4'-bpe)(2)] center dot [Zn(Hsal)(2)(4,4'-bpe)(DMF)(H2O)] center dot CH3OH (1) (Hsal = salicylate and 4,4'-bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure consists of three independent moieties: [Zn-2(Hsal)(4)(4,4'-bpe)(2)], [Zn(Hsal)(2)(4,4'-bpe)(DMF)(H2O)], and non-coordinated CH3OH molecule. In the compound two independent moieties which are connected by 4,4'-bpe to form 1-D chains, respectively, are further expended to accomplish 2-D network through hydrogen-bonding interactions between non-coordinated methanol and coordinated water molecule or carboxylate oxygen atoms of Hsal ligands. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.