Metal-organic framework Ni-2(L-asp)(2)(bipy) (Ni-LAB) crystals with different morphology were prepared by directly mixing metal solution with organic linker solution with assistance of deprotonation agent (DA) and crystallizing at 150 degrees C for 24 hours. Both metal source and DA played key roles in the formation of crystalline Ni-LAB. Ni-LAB crystals with different morphology were obtained by using various organic/inorganic DA. Single component vapor adsorption experiments indicated that the as-synthesized Ni-LAB crystal S3 exhibits preferential adsorption of methanol (CH3OH) over methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).