Bis[mu-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyne-kappa(2)N:N']bis[aquadinitratocadmium(II)].

Two twisted 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyne ligands bridge two Cd(2+) centers in the C(2)-symmetric title complex, [Cd(2)(NO(3))(4)(mu-C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]. The bridging ligands arch across one another creating a 'zigzag loop' molecular geometry. Two nitrate ions and a water molecule complete the irregular seven-coordinate Cd-atom environment. The dihedral angles between the equivalent pyridyl ring planes of the two independent ligands are 67.2 (1) degrees. O(water)-H.O(nitrate) hydrogen bonding creates two-dimensional layers parallel to the ab plane.