Two‐Dimensional Metal‐Organic Layers for Electrochemical Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of N‐Heterocycles

Modulated Self-Assembly of Catalytically Active Metal-Organic Nanosheets Containing Zr6 Clusters and Dicarboxylate Ligands

Two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets (MONs) have emerged as attractive alternatives to their three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) counterparts for heterogeneous catalysis due to their greater external surface areas and higher accessibility of catalytically active sites. Zr MONs are particularly prized because of their chemical stability and high Lewis and Brønsted acidities of the Zr clusters. Herein, we show that careful control over modulated self-assembly and exfoliation conditions allows the isolation of the first example of a two-dimensional nanosheet wherein Zr6 clusters are linked by dicarboxylate ligands. The hxl topology MOF, termed GUF-14 (GUF = Glasgow University Framework), can be exfoliated into monolayer thickness hns topology MONs, and acid-induced removal of capping modulator units yields MONs with enhanced catalytic activity toward the formation of imines and the hydrolysis of an organophosphate nerve agent mimic. The discovery of GUF-14 serves as a valuable example of the undiscovered MOF/MON structural diversity extant in established metal-ligand systems that can be accessed by harnessing the power of modulated self-assembly protocols.

Schiff-base Polymer Immobilized Ruthenium for Efficient Catalytic Cross-coupling of Secondary Alcohols with 2-amino- and γ-aminobenzyl Alcohols to Give Quinolines and Pyridines

A Schiff-base porous polymer has been impregnated with ruthenium trichloride for acceptor-free dehydrogenation coupling (ADC) of secondary alcohols with γ-amino- and 2-aminobenzyl alcohols to give pyridines and quinolines. This heterogenous catalyst exhibited high catalytic efficiency over repeated cycles with wide functional group tolerance.

Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets: Synthesis and Applications in Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis

Two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets (2D MONs) are an emerging class of ultrathin, porous, and crystalline materials. The organic/inorganic hybrid nature offers MONs distinct advantages over other inorganic nanosheets in terms of diversity of organic ligands and metal notes. Compared to bulk three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks, 2D MONs possess merits of high density and readily accessible catalytic sites, reduced diffusion pathways for reactants/products, and fast electron transport. These features endow MONs with enhanced physical/chemical properties and are ideal for heterogeneous catalysis. In this Review, state-of-the-art synthetic methods for the fabrication of 2D MONs were summarized. The advances of 2D MONs-based materials for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂ RR), and electro-/photocatalytic organic transformations were systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives regarding future design and synthesis of 2D MONs for high-performance electrocatalysis and photocatalysis were provided.

Carbon Nanotube Based Metal-Organic Framework Hybrids From Fundamentals Toward Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) materials constructed by the coordination chemistry of metal ions and organic ligands are important members of the crystalline materials family. Owing to their exceptional properties, for example, high porosity, tunable pore size, and large surface area, MOFs have been applied in several fields such as gas or liquid adsorbents, sensors, batteries, and supercapacitors. However, poor conductivity and low stability hamper their potential applications in several attractive fields such as energy and gas storage. The integration of MOFs with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a well-established carbon allotrope that exhibits high conductivity and stability, has been proposed as an efficient strategy to overcome such limitations. By combining the advantages of MOFs and CNTs, a wide variety of composites can be prepared with properties superior to their parent materials. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the preparation of CNT@MOF composites and focuses on their recent applications in several important fields, such as water purification, gas storage and separation, sensing, electrocatalysis, and energy storage (supercapacitors and batteries). Future challenges and prospects for CNT@MOF composites are also discussed.

Recent advances in the synthesis of N-heteroarenes via catalytic dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles

Bio-active molecules having N-heteroarene core are widely used for numerous medicinal applications and as lifesaving drugs. In this direction, dehydrogenation of partially saturated aromatic N-heterocycles shows utmost importance for the synthesis of heterocycles. This feature article highlights the recent advances, from 2009 to April 2021, on the dehydrogenation of N-heteroaromatics. Notable features considering the development of newer catalysis for dehydrogenations are: (i) approaches based on precious metal catalysis, (ii) newer strategies and catalyst development technology using non-precious metal-catalysts for N-heterocycles having one or more heteroatoms, (iii) Synthesis of five or six-membered N-heterocycles using photocatalysis, electrocatalytic, and organo-catalytic approaches using different homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions' (iv) metal free (base and acid-promoted) dehydrogenation along with I₂, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) and bio catalyzed miscellaneous examples have also been discussed, (v) mechanistic studies for various dehydrogenation reactions and (vi) synthetic applications of various bio-active molecules including post-drug derivatization are discussed.

Electrochemically Driven Radical Reactions: From Direct Electrolysis to Molecular Catalysis

Organic radicals are versatile synthetic intermediates that provide reactivities and selectivities complementary to ionic species. Despite its long history, electrochemically driven radical reactions remain limited in scope. In the past few years, there have been dramatic increase in research activity in organic electrochemistry. We have been developing electrochemical and electrophotocatalytic methods for the generation and synthetic utilization of organic radicals. In our studies, various radical species such as alkene and arene radical cations and carbon- and heteroatom-centered radicals are generated from readily available precursors through direct electrolysis, molecular electrocatalysis or molecular electrophotocatalysis. These radical species undergo various inter- and intramolecular oxidative transformations to rapidly increase molecular complexity. The simultaneous occurrence of anodic oxidation and cathodic proton reduction allows the oxidative reactions to proceed through H₂ evolution without external chemical oxidants.

Metal-Organic Layers for Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis

Metal-organic layers (MOLs) are two-dimensional analogues of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a high aspect ratio and thickness down to a monolayer. Active sites on MOLs are more accessible than those on MOFs thanks to the two-dimensional feature of MOLs, which allows easier chemical modification around the catalytic center. MOLs can also be assembled with other functional materials through surface anchoring sites that can facilitate charge/energy transport through the hybrid material. MOLs are thus quite suitable for interfacial catalysis like electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. In this outlook, we focus on representative progress of constructing unique interfacial sites on MOLs with designer paths for charge separation and energy transfer, as well as cooperative cavities for superior substrate adsorption and activation. We also discuss challenges and potentials in the future development of MOL catalysts and catalysts beyond MOLs.