Abstract This research demonstrates the preparation of a metal-organic framework (MOF-199) using the solvothermal method. The solvothermal conditions for synthesis and activation were investigated by changing the synthesis time (24 - 48 h), the solvothermal temperatures (85 and 100 °C), and the effect of the ethanol: water solvent ratio (within the solvents range from 1:1 to 1:2 ratios). All synthesized samples were characterized using of x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area (BET). The prepared MOF-199 at the optimal conditions (100 °C for 48 h, 1:1 of the ethanol: water) has up to 5518 m2/g m2/g surface area (BET), 0.693 cm3 g−1 specific volume, a 11.8 Å porous size, and 103 crystallinity. All MOF-199 samples were activated for 21 h at 60 °C.