Abstract A new type of 2D light-emitting coordination polymer [Cd(H2L)(H2O)2]n (CP1) (H4L=3,5-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)pyridine) was successfully constructed, which shows stability in a wide range of pH solution. More importantly, this material is a multifunctional luminescence sensing material which can become a good candidate for La3+/Eu3+/Tb3+/Dy3+ ions selective sensing with lower detection limits.