The ligand H2L has been built by linking an imidazole moiety to the 5-position of isophthalic acid. It forms two types of porous frameworks, {[Zn(L)]center dot 2DMF center dot 2H(2)O}(n) (1) and {[(CH3)(2)NH2][Zn-2(L)(H2O)PO4]center dot 2DMF}(n) (2). 1 is a porous neutral framework and has rtl rutile 3,6-conn topology, while 2 is an organo-metallophosphate anionic porous framework with double-walled hexagonal channels. Framework 1' (desolvated) exhibits moderate CO2 adsorption (58 cc g(-1) at 273 K, 1 bar), whereas 2' (desolvated) shows a microporous nature with a high adsorption of CO2 (111.7 cc g(-1) or 22 wt % at 273 K, 1 bar). Interestingly, this adsorbed CO2 could be converted very efficiently to cyclic carbonates-under mild conditions using 2' as the catalyst in the presence of tetrabutyl-ammonium bromide as the cocatalyst. The presence of open metal sites in 2' makes it an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for solvent-free three-component Strecker reaction using various aldehydes/ketones together with amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide in high yields at room temperature. The straightforward experimental and product isolation procedure along with easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst provided an attractive route for the synthesis of alpha-amino nitriles.