The synthesis and characterization of the first metal phosphate containing 4,4'-bipyridine in two distinct forms is described; the structure consists of phosphate-bridged vanadium(m) chains, which are linked through 4,4'-bipyridine ligands to form anionic ([V-2(HPO4)(4)- (4,4'-bpy)(2)](2-))(infinity) sheets with the charge-compensating uncoordinated (4,4'-H(2)bpy)(2+) cations between the sheets.