A unique noninterpenetrated 2D bilayer cobalt(II)-organic framework, [[Co(dpe)(NO(2)-BDC)].0.5(dpe)](n).nH(2)O (1), possessing nanoscale rectangular channels that clathrate large organic molecules, has been hydrothermally synthesized by reaction of cobalt(II) salt with 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (NO(2)-H(2)BDC) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (dpe).