A new coordination framework, {[Zn(L1)(5-nipc)]center dot H2O}n (1, L1 = 4'-(4-pyridyl)4,2':6',4 ''-terpyridine, 5-nipc = 5-nitroisophthalic acid), has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions, and determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, 1R and powder X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 29.983(9), b = 13.709(3), c = 14.391(3) angstrom, beta = 114.93(4)degrees, V = 5364(2) angstrom(3), D-c = 1.493 g/cm(3), C28H19N5O7Zn, M-r = 602.85, F(000) = 2464, mu(MoK alpha) = 0.972 mm(-1), Z = 8, R = 0.0935 and wR = 0.1509 for 4724 observed reflections (I > 2 sigma(I). The structure of 1 exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) network with a layer-pillar structure. The fluorescence property of 1 is also investigated.