Four new two-dimensional isostructural lanthanide metalorganic frameworks {[Ln(L)(LH)(H 2 O) 2 ]·H 2 O} n (1-Ln; Ln= Sm, Eu, Tb and Dy) were successfully assembled under hydro(solvo) thermal conditions by Ln 3 + salts and 4-(3-carboxyl-1,2,4-1Htriazol-1-yl) benzoic acid (H 2 L). Compounds are isostructural and display a 2D 3-connected fes 2-periodic net with the point symbol of (4·8 2 ). Thus, 1-Eu was chosen as a probe for sensing different metal ions and anions due to the excellent luminescence and good luminescent stability in water. 1-Eu shows high selectivity for Fe 3 + , Cr 2 O 7 2À and CrO 4 2À ions, indicating that 1-Eu should be an excellent candidate for luminescence sensing material. Furthermore, antiferromagnetic exchange couplings between the neighbouring Dy 3 + ions exist in 1-Dy.[a] Dr.