Three isomorphic Ln-MOFs [Ln(bcbob)(H₂O)(DMF)] (Ln = Tb for 1, Eu for 2, Gd for 3; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been constructed from a semi-rigid V-shaped organic linker 3,5-bis((4΄-carboxyl- benzyl)oxy)benzoilate acid (H₃bcbob) under solvothermal conditions. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals that they exhibit a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure. Compounds 1~3 show the characteristic green and red emissions of Ln³⁺ and blue emission arising from the organic ligand, respectively. Based on their photoluminescence properties, the white-light emitting materials 4 and 5 with longer fluorescence lifetime (ms grade) and higher quantum yield (e.g. 40.61% for 4) are fabricated. Remarkably, 1 exhibits good sensing ability on nitroaromatic compounds, especially for picric acid (PA). In addition, 1 is still a highly selective sensing material for Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺.