An unusual P312 framework for the Ni(4,4′‐bipyridine)(H2O)4 chain

catena‐Polytetra­aqua­nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′] thio­sulfate dihydrate], {Ni(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄]S₂O₃·2H₂O}_n, (I), and catena‐polytetra­aqua­nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′] sulfate methanol solvate monohydrate], {Ni(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄]SO₄·CH₄O·H₂O}_n, (II), are built up of {Ni(4,4′‐bipy)(H₂O)₄]²⁺}_n chains (4,4′‐bipy is 4,4′‐bipyridine) inter­woven in an unusual P3₁ fashion. Voids are filled by the corresponding counter‐anions and solvate mol­ecules, defining a complex three‐dimensional network surrounding them. In both structures, the cationic chains evolve around a set of twofold axes passing through the Ni^II ions and bis­ecting the aromatic amines through their N (and their opposite C) atoms.