Two complexes with a zwitterionic dicarboxylate ligand,Mn(L)2(H2O)4 1 and Co(L)2(H2O)4 2(L = 1-carboxymethylpyridinium-4-carboxylate),were synthesized and structurally characterized.Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic,space group P21 with a = 6.490(2),b = 19.210(7),c = 7.813(3) ,β = 92.716(5)o,V = 972.9(6) 3,Z = 2,Mr = 487.28,Dc = 1.663 g/cm3,F(000) = 502,μ = 0.749 mm-1,S = 1.060,the final R = 0.0377 and wR = 0.0893 for 3292 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I).Complex 2 is isomorphous with 1,with a = 6.478(2),b = 19.052(7),c = 7.742(3) ,β = 92.690(4)o,V = 954.6(6) 3,Z = 2,Mr = 491.28,Dc = 1.709 g/cm3,F(000) = 506,μ = 0.971 mm-1,S = 1.035,the final R = 0.0425 and wR = 0.0809 for 3289 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I).In the compounds,the mononuclear [M(L)2(H2O)4] units with trans-octahedral coordination geometry are linked into 3D architectures via hydrogen bonding(or second-sphere coordination) involving carboxylate groups and coordinated water molecules.The 3D networks illustrate a 3,8-connected net with Schlfli symbol(4·62)2(42·623·83).