The two-dimensional square network inclusion compound [Cd(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H2O)(2])(ClO4)(2). 1.5(4,4'-bpy).(C6H4NO3CI). H2O (where C(6)H(4)NO(3)C1=4-chloro-2-nitrophenol, 4,4'-bpy=4,4'-bipyridine) has been synthesized by self-assembly. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 with unit-cell parameters a=11.7365(8), b=11.780 8(7), c=16.851(1) Angstrom, beta=93.35(4)degrees, V=2327.9(3) Angstrom(3), Z=4, R-1=0.0351 and wR(2)=0.0813. The central Cd atoms in two crystallographically non-equivalent [Cd(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H2O)(2)](2+) cations exhibit a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry with Cd-N bond distances of 2.329 (5)-2.382(11) and 2.324(10)-2.364(5) Angstrom, respectively, and Cd-O bond distances of 2.315(4) and 2.324(5) Angstrom, respectively. Both hydrogen bonding and nonionic electrostatic attraction are utilized to incorporate the 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol guest molecules, thus making the self-assembly process exhibit high shape specificity. The thermal analysis of the compound is discussed and related to its structure.