First, we have developed new procedures for the syntheses of two well-known and wellstudied MOFs, HKUST-1 and aluminum fumarate (AlF). These procedures are rapid, use reagents and solvents of low toxicity, and require synthetic equipment no more sophisticated than a hot plate and (optionally) a vacuum pump or other source of reduced pressure (e.g., a water aspirator pump). The first synthesis of HKUST-1 published for educational purposes required 48 hours, followed by a drying time of 12 hours. A more recent report disclosed an ultrasonicassisted synthesis reaching 45-60% yield in just 15 minutes, albeit requiring an ultrasonic cleaner and DMF. In our approach, approximately 70 minutes are needed for MOF synthesis, washing, and drying. The previously reported 3 hours required to synthesize AlF was reduced to 1 hour by minor modification to the published procedure. Furthermore, the previously published synthesis protocols have required toxic solvents, typically dichloromethane and DMF. Here, we use only water and absolute ethanol as solvents (noting that isopropanol can be used in place of ethanol where the latter is not available, albeit resulting in somewhat lower quality material).