This article focuses on high valence 3p and transition metal based metal organic frameworks. In the first part we will discuss the complex solution chemistry of these metals which makes this sub-class of MOFs more of a challenge than the traditional low valence metal based MOFs. This is followed by a short review of the different classes of solids based on phosphonates, carboxylates and other linkers. Finally, we report some of the most relevant properties of these solids such as their chemical or thermal stability as well as their catalytic, redox- and photo-activities.