<p>Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have turned out to be highly efficient nanomaterials in separating organic pollutants from water, particularly owing to their very specific structural and chemical characteristics. This review attempts to systematically discuss the recent developments made on MOF materials, systems and related technologies for the decomposition and sorption of dyes paying attention to design features, synthesis techniques, and performance improvement. It includes structure, nomenclature, synthesis, and functionalization of MOFs, specific interactions between them and organic pollutants, and mechanisms behind their adsorption capacity and photocatalysis. The paper discusses various aspects of the increase in efficiency of the photo-degradation of dyes which include the charge separation efficiency, porosity, and surface chemistry mediated dye adsorption. The review encompasses all the positive and negative aspects concerning the use of MOFs for dye degradation and gives a glimpse into the further development of this field. </p> Graphical abstract <p></p>