The title compound, {[MgPtCl2(C12H6N2O4)(C3H7NO)(2)(H2O)]center dot C3H7NO}(n), is a one-dimensional coordination polymer. The structure consists of Pt-functionalized bipyridine ligands connected by Mg-II cations, as well as coordinating and non-coordinating solvent molecules. The Pt-II cation is coordinated by the two N atoms of the bipyridine moiety and two Cl atoms in a square-planar fashion. This coordination induces an in-plane bend along the bipyridine backbone of approximately 10 degrees from the linear ideal of a conjugated pi-system. Likewise, the coordination to the Mg II cation induces a significant bowing of the plane of the bipyridine of about 12 degrees, giving it a distinct curved appearance. The carboxylate groups of the bipyridine ligand exhibit moderate rotations relative to their parent pyridine rings. The Mg-II cation has a fairly regular octahedral coordination polyhedron, in which three vertices are occupied by O atoms from the carboxylate groups of three different bipyridine ligands. The remaining three vertices are occupied by the O atoms of two dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules and one water molecule. The one-dimensional chains are oriented in the [01 (1) over bar] direction, and non-coordinating DMF molecules can be found in the space between the chains. The shortest intermolecular O center dot center dot center dot H contacts are 2.844 (4) and 2.659 (4) angstrom, suggesting moderate hydrogen-bonding interactions. In addition, there is a short intermolecular Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt contact of 3.491 (1) angstrom, indicating a Pt stacking interaction. Some structure-directing contribution from the hydrogen bonding and Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt interaction is probable. However, the crystal packing seems to be directed primarily by van der Waals interactions.