A tetranuclear cobalt(II) complex [Co(HLMe,Me)](4)(CIO4)(4)center dot 5CH(3)OH center dot 1.5H(2)O (H2LMe,Me = 1,5-bis(1-(6-methylpyridine-2-yl)ethylidene)carbonohydrazide) was achieved by self-assembly and characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis and magnetic measurement. In the Co-4 rectangle grid, the Co(II) centers are in a distorted octahedral environment with N4O2 or N5O coordination spheres and bridged by two mu-0 bridges and two mu-N-N bridges, respectively. Variation in R-2 site of the ligand influences the electromagnetic environment of the metal centers to some extent. The magnetic investigation indicates that there is an antiferromagnetic interaction between the HS Co(II) ions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.