Based on Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and 4,4′-((5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy))dibenzoic acid (H3cpbda), a 3D porous coordination polymer, {[Zn2.5(cpbda)(OH)2]·solvent2}n (solvent = DMF and DMA) (1), was synthesized by three solvent-thermal methods. The complex was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, power X-ray diffraction, thermal-gravimetric analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Owing to its good thermal stability and fluorescence, the sensing experiments (eighteen kinds of cations and eleven kinds of anions) and the further titration processes show the complex can sensitively detect the Fe(III) metal cation and Cr(VI) anions (Cr2O72− and CrO42−) by the quenching responses. In addition, further adsorption research of seven dyes shows the complex 1 can selectively adsorb the Malachite Green Oxalate (MGO) dye.
