The photophysical properties of the anthracene appended koneramines (LAn) were analyzed and utilized as a chemosensor for the selective detection of Cd2+ and Zn2+. The complexation-induced inhibition of PET (photo-induced electron transfer) from the chelating nitrogen atoms to the excited state of the anthracene moiety resulted in a fluorescence "turn-on" signal upon binding with Cd2+ and Zn2+. The confocal microscopic imaging studies performed on the MCF-7 cells validated that the compound is potentially useful for detecting Cd2+ and Zn2+ inside the cells. The cadmium complex exhibited unique bactericidal activity against clinically relevant human pathogens. The excellent activity against multidrug-resistant S. aureus makes the complex useful as a new, easily synthesizable antibiotic. The cadmium complex LAnCdCl2 was not cytotoxic against vero cells with a selectivity index of 40, exhibited concentration dependent bactericidal killing, was non-interactive with several other clinically approved standard drugs, exhibited prolonged post-antibiotic effect (PAE) against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and possesses antibiofilm activity.