Abstract: Capacitive deionization (CDI), in which electrode materials play an important role, is considered a novel desalination technology because of its advantages of low energy consumption, low cost and low pollution. Porous electrode materials with a high accessible surface area, hydrophilic surfaces and excellent electrochemical performance have proved to be ideal. Carbons derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are most suitable for this purpose because of their controllable morphology and microstructure, suitable pore size distribution, and excellent electrical conductivity. The preparation and of MOF-derived carbon materials and their performance for the use as CDI electrode materials are reviewed. These include MOF-derived carbons, modified MOF-derived carbons, doped MOF-derived carbons and MOF-derived carbon composites with graphene, carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. The advantages and challenges of these carbon electrode materials for CDI are summarized and future development is proposed.