Abstract In this study, we report a facile solution route to prepare superhydrophobic and superoleophilic ZnC₄O₄ concave microspheres. The surface morphologies and chemical compositions were determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The wettability of the as-synthesized ZnC₄O₄ coordination compound surface was studied by measuring the contact angle (CA). A static CA for water over 160° was observed, which was closely related to both the structure and chemical modification of ZnC₄O₄, and a 0° static CA for octane was observed, which showed that the as-prepared ZnC₄O₄ surface had superoleophilic properties. Furthermore, the as-prepared ZnC₄O₄ surface showed superhydrophobicity for some corrosive liquids, such as acidic and basic aqueous solutions.