To realize the aim of easy and accurate detection of ammonia and picric acid (PA) in both aqueous and vapor phases based on function-oriented investigation principles, in the present study, we include a luminescent performance with recognition performance, taking into account the application conditions. Zn(II) ions with luminescence qualities and an amine-substituted imidazole moiety with selective recognition properties towards picric acid and ammonia are coupled to generate a novel 1D luminous Zn(II) coordination polymer, Zn-CP [{Zn(II)( 2-ABZ)2(2-BDC)}].MeOH]∞, where 2-ABZ and 2-BDC stand for terephthalic acid and protonated 2 aminobenzimidazole, respectively. Tests for luminescence recognition demonstrate that Zn-CP has potent selectivity, and strong sensitivity to ammonia and PA in both media. In both detection processes, the limit of detection (LOD) values are determined to be 40 nm. Spectroscopic and DFT studies reveal that the detection of Trinitrophenol (TNP) primarily involves a synergistic mechanism of Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET), Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), and Charge Transfer (CT). In contrast, the detection of ammonia (NH