•2,6-dimethoxy-4-methylphenol was used as a ligand for fluorescence detection for the first time.•Complex shows fluorescence sensitive response even under interference conditions.•Fluorescence detection can work across pH 4-10. Anthrax is a potentially highly lethal acute infectious disease caused by the zoonotic bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which poses a threat to human life and health. 2, 6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA) is a significant component of bacterial spores as a typical anthrax biomarker. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a simple and efficient detection method for DPA. Here, we successfully synthesized a binuclear terbium complex with formulas Tb2(DMOMP)2(CH3OH)2(H2O)4Cl2·2Cl·2CH3OH, which is constructed by 2, 6-dimethoxy-4-methylphenol (DMOMP) and TbⅢ ion. Each TbⅢ ion center is encapsulated by seven O atoms and one Cl− anion. Based on this, the encapsulated coordination environment facilitated efficient ligand energy transfer via the “antenna effect”. Therefore, the complex exhibits interesting luminescence response characteristics, with fast and stable green fluorescence response to DPA, low detection limit Ksv = 1.08 × 10−5 M−1, and fluorescence lifetime τ = 754.93 μs. Tb2(DMOMP)2(CH3OH)2(H2O)4Cl2·2Cl·2CH3OH has excellent fluorescence properties and strong immunity to interference and is capable of sensitively detecting the B. anthracis biomarker DPA, allowing it to be potentially used as an effective fluorescent probe and providing a viable strategy for effective anthrax fever prevention. In this work, a binuclear TbⅢ complex bridged by phenoxyl O atom is prepared and used for the fluorescent detection of 2, 6-pyridindicarboxylic acid, an anthrax biomarker with certain anti-interference. Display omitted