Four new metal -organic frameworks, {[Zn(L)-(dcdps)]}(n) (1), {Zn(L)(bdc)}(n) (2), {[Cd(L)(oba)]center dot 0.5DMF}(n) (3), and {[Cd(L)(bdc)center dot 2H(2)O]center dot 2DMF}(n) (4) [L = bis (methylthio)- 1,4-phenyle ne) dipyri dine; H(2)dcdps = 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid, H(2)bdc = 1,4-dicarboxybenzene, H(2)oba = 4,4'-oxybisbenzoic acid] have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, element analysis, and thermogravimetry measurements. Their application in detecting ions and organic molecules was explored, and the results show that they are all excellent luminescent probes for Fe3+, Cr2O72-, and nitro-methane. The mechanisms of quenching were also studied in detail.