The combination of 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) and oxalate ligands has resulted in the formation of two novel layered compounds [Fe₃(C₂O₄)₃(4,4′-bpy)₄] 1 and [Co(C₂O₄)(4,4′-bpy)] 2. Both compounds exhibit two-dimensional layer structures. That of 1 consists of iron(II) oxalate chains, with the terminal and the bridging 4,4′-bpy stacking alternately between the chains. The structure of 2 contains linear chains of cobalt(II) oxalate which are cross-linked by 4,4′-bpy molecules in a perpendicular manner, leading to square grid sheets with rectangular windows. Magnetic measurements reveal that weak antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated in both compounds.