In conclusion, we demonstrated comprehensive investigations on development of alkali metalbased coordination networks involving Li, Na and K ions and the tricarboxylate BTC linker and their application as well-defined precursors of carbon materials. Our approach allowed for simple and green synthesis of the alkali-BTC networks under mild, aqueous conditions. Notably, the developed procedure allowed for preparation of a range of coordination networks as single crystals, which facilitated the detailed structural investigations using diffraction techniques.