In this work, a new semicrystalline MOF synthesized from terephthalic acid and zinc nitrate is described, as well as an integral characterization of its physicochemical properties. BDC-Zn was evaluated in three applications: Methyl orange (MO) and Methyl Blue (MO) adsorption/photocatalytic degradation and H2 evolution. MO presents the best adsorption result; with a maximum adsorption capacity of 2100 mg/g, which is higher than all the MOF's reported in the literature. For H2 evolution, the activity was enhanced 24 times in photocatalyst with MO adsorbed, and 27 times for the MB adsorbed (from 47 to 1148 and 1259 μmol/gh, respectively). This result is attributed to better light adsorption and a decrease in charge recombination. •BDC-Zn was evaluated in methyl orange/methyl blue adsorption-photocatalytic degradation and H2 evolution.•BDC-Zn MO/MB sensitization increased 24 and 27 times photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.•BDC-Zn MOF shows the highest methyl orange adsorption capacity determined in MOF's literature.