A novel mixed ligand one-dimensional coordination polymer (1D CP), {[Cd-2(adc)(2)(4-nvp)(6)]-(MeOH)center dot(H2O)}(n) (1; H(2)adc = 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylic acid, and 4-nvp = 4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The ID polymer undergoes supramolecular aggregation via hydrogen bonding, C-H center dot center dot center dot pi., and pi center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. Interestingly, compound 1 shows increasing conductivity upon irradiation of light. Therefore, it has the potential to be used in optoelectronic devices. Moreover, the supramolecular assembly of 1 specifically detects Cr3+ cation in the presence of other competitive analytes. Most importantly, compound 1 exhibits fascinating turn-on Cr3+ sensing, which seems to be an ornament in the field of sensing application.