The supramolecular structure of a cadmium complex with the new functionalized terpyridine ligand 4'-[4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl]-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (L1): aqua(L1-κ³N,N',N'')(nitrato-κ²O,O')(nitrato-κO)cadmium(II) dihydrate.