The manganese and cobalt complexes [M(dtbP)(2)](n) (M = Mn, Co; dtbp = di-tert-butyl phosphate), which exist as one-dimensional molecular wires, transform to [M(dtbP)(2)(bpy)(2)(.)2H(2)O](n) by the addition of 4,4-bipyridine (bpy) at room temperature; the latter compounds form noninterpenetrating rectangular grid structures.