A series of copper- and alkaline-earth metal-based multidimensional metal organic frameworks, [CuMg(pdc)(2) (H2O)(4)]-2H(2)O} (1), [CuCa(pdc)(2)] (2), [CuSr(pdc)(2)(H2O)(3)] (3), and-{[CuBa(pdc)(2)(H2O)(6)]center dot H2O} (4), where H(2)Pdc = pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Two different metals act as the active center to catalyze two kinds of reactions, viz, olefin to its epoxide followed by epoxide ring opening to afford the corresponding vicinal diol in a sequential manner.