Two novel Zn-CPs act as dual-functional luminescent sensors for highly selective, sensitive and stable detection of Fe3+ ions and tetracycline.

• Two novel Zn (II) coordination polymers have been successfully prepared and characterized. • An unprecedented topology with 4-nodal 3, 3, 5, 6-c framework. • Chem-sensors with excellent performance for the detection of Fe3+ ions or TC, high selectivity, extra sensitivity. Environmental issues are the great challenge that human beings are suffering from. Development in coordination polymers (CPs) provides a great platform for tracing hazardous substance by fluorescence detection. In this work, two novel Zn-CPs, namely [Zn(1,1′-bbi)(C 2 O 4)] n (1) and [Zn 3 (1,1′-bbi)(L) 2 (H 2 O)] n (2) (flexible 1,1′-bbi = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole), and H 3 L = 5-(2-carboxylphenoxy)isophthalic acid) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions, and further characterized by IR spectra, elemental analyses, thermogravimetric (TG) analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 displays a sql topological framework; complex 2 shows an unprecedented 4-nodal (3,3,5,6)-c topological network with Point Schläfli symbol (4·5·6) 2 (42·52·62·73·9) 2 (42·52·64·7·84·9·10)(42·5) 2. CPs 1 – 2 possess good application prospect due to their high thermal, and chemical stability. The selective and sensitive fluorescence sensing of 1 – 2 have been investigated towards Fe3+ ions and tetracycline in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]