A new composite (CCSs/MOFs) of carboxyl-rich carbon spheres (CCSs) and copper-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was for the first time prepared. The CCSs/MOFs composite was synthesized by the coordinated growth of high surface area and porous MOFs, [Cu-3(BTC)(2)(H2O)](n) (HKUST-1), on the surface of the functionalized CCSs obtained through a one-step hydrothermal carbonization of glucose with acrylic acid at 180 A degrees C for 24 h. The resulting composites showed a core/shell structure with a tunable diameter arranging from 0.6 to 3.0 mu m, and possessed high specific surface area of 495 m(2)/g and nanoporous structures derived from MOFs. Further, the catalytic oxidation of benzylic alcohol to benzaldehyde as its application was studied.