We describe the first solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of a microporous metal–organic framework [Cu(INA)2]
(INA = isonicotinic acid); the product has robust 3-dimensional connectivity and is obtained quantitatively by grinding together copper acetate and isonicotinic acid for 10 minutes without any applied heating—the high efficiency of the synthesis suggests that mechanochemical synthesis should be further investigated as a convenient method for the preparation of microporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).