Coupling MOF-based photocatalysis with Pd catalysis over Pd@MIL-100(Fe) for efficient N-alkylation of amines with alcohols under visible light

Mixed-Metal MOFs: Unique Opportunities in Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Functionality and Design

Mixed-metal metal-organic frameworks (MM-MOFs) can be considered to be those MOFs having two different metals anywhere in the structure. Herein we summarize the various strategies for the preparation of MM-MOFs and some of their applications in adsorption, gas separation, and catalysis. It is shown that compared to homometallic MOFs, MM-MOFs bring about the opportunity to take advantage of the complexity and the synergism derived from the presence of different metal ions in the structure of MOFs. This is reflected in a superior performance and even stability of MM-MOFs respect to related single-metal MOFs. Emphasis is made on the use of MM-MOFs as catalysts for tandem reactions.

Fe-Containing MOFs as Seeds for the Preparation of Highly Active Fe/Al-SBA-15 Catalysts in the NAlkylation of Aniline

We have successfully incorporated iron species into mesoporous aluminosilicates (Al-SBA-15) using a simple mechanochemical milling method. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), pyridine (PY) and 2,6-dimethylpyridine (DMPY) pulse chromatography titration, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The catalysts were tested in the N-alkylation reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol for imine production. According to the results, the iron sources, acidity of catalyst and reaction conditions were important factors influencing the reaction. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic performance, achieving 97% of aniline conversion and 96% of imine selectivity under optimized conditions.

State-of-the-Art Advances and Challenges of Iron-Based Metal Organic Frameworks from Attractive Features, Synthesis to Multifunctional Applications

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), as an original kind of organic-inorganic porous material, are constructed with metal centers and organic linkers via a coordination complexation reaction. Among uncountable MOF materials, iron-containing metal organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) have excellent potential in practical applications owing to their many fascinating properties, such as diverse structure types, low toxicity, preferable stability, and tailored functionality. Here, recent research progresses of Fe-MOFs in attractive features, synthesis, and multifunctional applications are described. Fe-MOFs with porosity and tailored functionality are discussed according to the design of building blocks. Four types of synthetic methods including solvothermal, hydrothermal, microwave, and dry gel conversion synthesis are illustrated. Finally, the applications of Fe-MOFs in Li-ion batteries, sensors, gas storage, separation in gas and liquid phases, and catalysis are elucidated, focusing on the mechanism. The aim is to provide prospects for extending Fe-MOFs in more practical applications.

Metal Organic Frameworks Based Materials for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

The increase in environmental pollution due to the excessive use of fossil fuels has prompted the development of alternative and sustainable energy sources. As an abundant and sustainable energy, solar energy represents the most attractive and promising clean energy source for replacing fossil fuels. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are easily constructed and can be tailored towards favorable photocatalytic properties in pollution degradation, organic transformations, CO₂ reduction and water splitting. In this review, we first summarize the different roles of MOF materials in the photoredox chemical systems. Then, the typical applications of MOF materials in heterogeneous photocatalysis are discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in this promising field are evaluated.

Achieving high-performance nitrate electrocatalysis with PdCu nanoparticles confined in nitrogen-doped carbon coralline

Complex porous carbon nanostructures with homogeneously embedded nanoparticles and intricate architectures show promise as high-performance catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate a direct surfactant co-assembly approach for the fabrication of well-dispersed PdCu nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped porous carbon with three-dimensional coralline structures. Owing to their porous features and unique frameworks, the PdxCuy@N-pC coralline-like nanostructures offer large surface areas, accessible active sites, and excellent nitrate electrocatalytic ability. The composite catalyst Pd4Cu4@N-pC exhibits outstanding catalytic performance with a high nitrate removal rate of ∼95%, nitrogen selectivity of ∼80%, and removal capacity of 22 000 mg N per g PdCu. More importantly, the present work opens up a broad horizon for architectures of nanoparticles confined in coralline-like 3D porous carbon structures with superior performance and promising large-scale applications.

Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with potential applications in gas storage, separations, catalysis, and chemical sensing. Despite numerous advantages, applications of many MOFs are ultimately limited by their stability under harsh conditions. Herein, the recent advances in the field of stable MOFs, covering the fundamental mechanisms of MOF stability, design, and synthesis of stable MOF architectures, and their latest applications are reviewed. First, key factors that affect MOF stability under certain chemical environments are introduced to guide the design of robust structures. This is followed by a short review of synthetic strategies of stable MOFs including modulated synthesis and postsynthetic modifications. Based on the fundamentals of MOF stability, stable MOFs are classified into two categories: high-valency metal-carboxylate frameworks and low-valency metal-azolate frameworks. Along this line, some representative stable MOFs are introduced, their structures are described, and their properties are briefly discussed. The expanded applications of stable MOFs in Lewis/Brønsted acid catalysis, redox catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, gas storage, and sensing are highlighted. Overall, this review is expected to guide the design of stable MOFs by providing insights into existing structures, which could lead to the discovery and development of more advanced functional materials.

Superfine palladium nanocrystals on a polyphenylene framework for photocatalysis

To enable the recycling and recovery of these nanosized noble metals, various carriers are adopted for catalyst design.

Catalysis and photocatalysis by metal organic frameworks

This review aims to provide different strategies employed to use MOFs as solid catalysts and photocatalysts in organic transformations.

A pH-responsive and magnetic Fe3O4@silica@MIL-100(Fe)/β-CD nanocomposite as a drug nanocarrier: loading and release study of cephalexin

In the present work, a novel magnetic and pH-responsive porous nanocomposite was prepared by the surface grafting of β-cyclodextrin onto Fe₃O₄@silica@MIL-100(Fe).

Insight into the epitaxial encapsulation of Pd catalysts in an oriented metalloporphyrin network thin film for tandem catalysis

A palladium catalyst (Pd-Cs) encapsulated metalloporphyrin network PIZA-1 thin film with bifunctional properties has been developed through a modified epitaxial layer-by-layer encapsulation approach. Combining the oxidation activity of Pd-Cs and the acetalization activity of the Lewis acidic sites in the PIZA-1 thin film, this bifunctional catalyst of the Pd-Cs@PIZA-1 thin film exhibits a good catalytic activity in a one-pot tandem oxidation-acetalization reaction. Furthermore, the surface components can be controlled by ending the top layer with different precursors in the thin film preparation procedures. The catalytic performances of these thin films with different surface composites were studied under the same conditions, which showed different reaction conversions. The result revealed that the surface component can influence the catalytic performance of the thin films. This epitaxial encapsulation offers a good understanding of the tandem catalysis for thin film materials and provides useful guidance to develop new thin film materials with catalytic properties.

Photocatalytic metal–organic frameworks for organic transformations

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted increasing attention for applications in heterogeneous photocatalysis.