An effective catalyst for removing organic dyes from water is highly required. A two-dimensional metal-organic framework, copper-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic (CuBDC), and its derivative (CuO@C) were investigated as catalysts for the degradation of organic dye. The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-resolution TEM, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, atomic absorbance flame (AAF), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). CuO@ was used for catalytic hydrogenation of organic dyes using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a reducing agent. It displayed high catalytic efficiency (100%) and required a short reaction time with excellent recyclability and a simple regeneration process. The materials could be used for more than 5 times without obvious fading in the material's …