The structures of a series of 1D coordination polymers in which divalent centres are bridged by saccharate or mucate anions are presented. In each structure the coordination environment of the metal centres is completed by a 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2′-bipyridine ligand. Hydrogen bonding between infinite parallel chains leads to a 2D network in each structure with the aromatic groups extending above and below this plane. These groups serve as pillars between the hydrogen-bonded sheets. π–π interactions occur between aromatic groups on neighbouring parallel sheets. In most cases narrow channels filled with disordered water molecules are formed between the aromatic groups on the sides and the hydrogen-bonded sheets that lie above and below. CO₂ sorption studies on two compounds are also reported.