Five metal–organic coordination polymers (MOCPs) based on the isonicotinic acid (HIA), namely [M(IA)₂(H₂O)₄] (M-CP, M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. All of the five MOCPs possess similar structures, which are further linked via hydrogen-bonding interactions to generate 3D supramolecular frameworks. The effects of the central metals on the properties of M-CPs have been discussed. Moreover, in order to improve the organic dye removal and analyte detection properties, five nanostructures were synthesized by the pyrolysis method from the five MOCP precursors. The selective organic dye removal and analyte detection properties by the M-CPs and their derivatives (M@C, M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) in the aqueous phase were also comparatively investigated and shown that the highest photocatalytic degradation rates were 98.95% and 92.29% for GV and CR, respectively, in solutions containing Co@C after 4 h. In addition, Co@C, Ni@C and Cu@C show stable catalytic efficiencies after five reaction cycles. Zn/Cd-based CPs and their derived nanostructures can selectively recognize Fe³⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, CrO₄^2-, MnO₄^-, NM and NB.