Three coordination polymers [Mn(epda)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)] (1), [Mn(epda)(phen)] (2), and [Co₂(epda)₂(bpe)₂(H₂O)₄]·5H₂O (3) (H₂epda=5-ethyl-pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2′-bipy=2,2′-bipyridine, phen=phenanthroline, bpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethylene) were synthesized by solvothermal reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. 1 displays a 1D chain structure, and these chains are joined by O—H…O hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions to generate a 2D layer structure. 2 displays a 2D layer structure, and adjacent layers are generated 3D architecture through π-π stacking interactions. 3 displays a 1D chain structure, and adjacent chains are generated double layer structure through O—H…O hydrogen bonding. The fluorescent properties of 1 and 3 indicate that they can potentially be used as a luminescent sensor. 1 was highly selective and sensitive towards o-nitrophenol through different detection mechanisms, however, 3 was highly selective and sensitive towards 2,4,6-trinitrophenol. In addition, the magnetic behavior of 2 has also been investigated.