The Bronsted basicity in activated metal organic framework-808 (hereinafter denoted as MOF-808a) was confirmed by the analyses of CO2-TPD-MS, in situ DRIFTS, and acid base titration. MOF-808a exhibited efficient recyclable catalytic activities for Heck coupling and oxidation of alcohol as a one-pot tandem reaction in base-free catalysis. It is the first evidence of the Bronsted basicity in zirconium metal organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) and gave rise to a new opportunity to extend the catalytic application of Zr-MOFs.