Abstract(E)-4-hydroxy-3-((quinolin-8-ylimino)methyl)benzoic acid, (H2L), was synthesized and employed in the synthesis of metal complex or coordination polymers (CPs) namely, [Co(HL)2]NO3_3DMF, 1, {[Cu(L)(H2O)]_H2O}n, 2, and {[ZnL]_DMF}n, 3. Compounds have been characterized by CHN analysis, 1H NMR and IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is a discrete mononuclear complex, compound 2 consists of infinite one-dimensional zig-zag chains and compound 3 displays a two-dimensional coordination polymer, uninodal shubnikov tetragonal plane network with (44_62) point symbol. Compound 3 exhibits strong fluorescence emission upon excitation at room temperature. In addition, gas sensing property of compound 3 as a thin film on one side of double sided tap on the glass substrate have also been discussed.