Three water-stable luminescent MOFs [Zn4(bptc)2(NMP)3(DMF)(H2O)2] n (1-a), [Cd4(bptc)2(NMP)3(DMF)2(H2O)1] n (1-b), and {[Zn2(bptc)(DMA)(H2O)2]·(DMA)2·H2O} n (2), possessing similar chemical components (M2:L1:Sol3) and topology structures, were synthesized by solvents control. Their excellent sensing on iron(III) cation and nitroaromatic explosives (NACs) with great selectivity, sensitivity and a high Ksv (4.54 × 104 for 1-b on PNP) were observed by quenching effects. Furthermore, Zn-MOFs exhibit interesting stimuli-responsive luminescence enhancement after the encapsulation of a series of IIIB cations stimulated different luminescent emitting and intensity enhancement through host-guest processes of the pores in MOFs, especially for two distinct responses of Zn-MOF on a Tb3+ cation.