A Cd­(II)-based metal–organic framework as fluorescent chemical sensor, formulated as {[Cd3(bmipia)2]·10DMF·5H2O} n (FCS-2), was synthesized through a hydrothermal process and structurally characterized via X-ray crystallography. FCS-2 represented a new three-dimensional framework assembled from a semi-rigid aromatic carboxylate ligand and exhibited fascinating fluorescence due to the highly crystalline and ordered molecular structure. The emission of FCS-2 could be quenched, interestingly, by the presence of trace 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, which indicated that FCS-2 can be applied as a potentially sensitive fluorescent chemical sensor for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds.