A nanoscale Cu-metal organic framework with Schiff base ligand: Synthesis, characterization and investigation catalytic activity in the oxidation of alcohols

Titanium metal-organic frameworks for photocatalytic CO2 conversion through a cycloaddition reaction

The elevated levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have been a major concern for environmental scientists. Capturing CO2 gas and its subsequent conversion to useful organic compounds is one of the avenues that have been extensively studied in the last decade. The photocatalytic cycloaddition of CO2 is a promising approach for effective CO2 capture and the production of value-added chemicals such as cyclic carbonates. MOF-901, a titanium-based metal-organic framework with hexagonal layers and imine linkages, was successfully oxidized in this study to MOF-997, incorporating amide linkages using Oxone. Both MOFs displayed remarkable photocatalytic activity in CO2 cycloaddition under mild conditions, including moderate temperatures and visible light exposure. Particularly noteworthy is MOF-997, exhibiting superior performance with donor-acceptor active sites, achieving a 99.9% yield in catalyzing CO2 conversion from styrene epoxide to styrene carbonate under solvent conditions.

Cu(II) and Mn(II) Anchored on Functionalized Mesoporous Silica with Schiff Bases: Effects of Supports and Metal-Ligand Interactions on Catalytic Activity

New series of Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from 2-furylmethylketone (Met), 2-furaldehyde (Fur), and 2-hydroxyacetopheneone (Hyd) have been synthesized in situ on SBA-15-NH₂, MCM-48-NH₂, and MCM-41-NH₂ functionalized supports. The hybrid materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, SEM and TEM microscopy, TG analysis, and AAS, FTIR, EPR, and XPS spectroscopies. Catalytic performances were tested in oxidation with the hydrogen peroxide of cyclohexene and of different aromatic and aliphatic alcohols (benzyl alcohol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, and 1-buten-3-ol). The catalytic activity was correlated with the type of mesoporous silica support, ligand, and metal-ligand interactions. The best catalytic activity of all tested hybrid materials was obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexene on SBA-15-NH₂-MetMn as a heterogeneous catalyst. No leaching was evidenced for Cu and Mn complexes, and the Cu catalysts were more stable due to a more covalent interaction of the metallic ions with the immobilized ligands.

The Origin of Catalytic Benzylic C-H Oxidation over a Redox-Active Metal-Organic Framework

Selective oxidation of benzylic C-H compounds to ketones is important for the production of a wide range of fine chemicals, and is often achieved using toxic or precious metal catalysts. Herein, we report the efficient oxidation of benzylic C-H groups in a broad range of substrates under mild conditions over a robust metal-organic framework material, MFM-170, incorporating redox-active [Cu2 II (O2 CR)4 ] paddlewheel nodes. A comprehensive investigation employing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction has identified the critical role of the paddlewheel moiety in activating the oxidant t BuOOH (tert-butyl hydroperoxide) via partial reduction to [CuII CuI (O2 CR)4 ] species.

Highly efficient Cu(ii)-pyrazoledicarboxylate heterogeneous catalysts for a base-free aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohol to benzaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant

A Cu(ii)-pyrazoledicarboxylate MOF displayed high activity and selectivity in the base-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde combined with H₂O₂.

Green synthesis and characterization of novel Mn-MOFs with catalytic and antibacterial potentials

The synthesis and characterization of novel Mn-MOF nanostructures (UoB-4) with high performance as catalysts and antibacterial agents.

Monometallic and bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composites: structural characterization and catalytic activity

Monometallic and bimetallic MOF/MCM-41 composites (Cu, Ag and Cu–Ag) were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The synthesized composites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX and BET surface area measurements. The acidity was determined through two techniques; potentiometric titration with n-butyl amine for determining the strength and the total number of acid sites and FTIR spectra of chemisorbed pyridine on the surface of MOFs for determining the type of acid sites (Brønsted and/or Lewis). All the prepared MOFs showed Lewis-acid sites and the higher acidity was observed for the bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composite. The catalytic activity was examined on the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthol via the reaction of benzaldehyde, 2-naphthol and benzamide. The best yield (92.86%) was obtained in the least time (10 min) with a molar ratio 1.2 : 1.2 : 1.7 of benzaldehyde : β-naphthol : benzamide and 0.1 g bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composite under solvent-free conditions at 130 °C. Reuse of the catalysts showed that they could be used at least four times without any reduction in the catalytic activity.

Monometallic and bimetallic MOF/MCM-41 composites (Cu, Ag and Cu–Ag) were synthesized via a solvothermal method.

Heterometallic CuII/LnIII polymers active in the catalytic aerobic oxidation of cycloalkenes under solvent-free conditions

Heterometallic 3d-4f inorganic polymers were prepared using 3,5 pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H2PDC), {[CuLn2(PDC)2(SO4)2(H2O)6]·H2O}n (Ln: SmIII, CuSmPDC, EuIII, CuEuPDC, GdIII, and CuGdPDC). These catalysts are active in the aerobic oxidation of cycloalkenes under solvent-free conditions, with a conversion for the oxidation of cyclohexene of 71% after one hour of the reaction, and a TOF value of 1438 h-1 for CuSmPDC. On the other hand, the oxidation of cycloheptene and cyclooctene exhibited slightly lower conversions of 52% and 47%, and TOF values of 1053 and 159 h-1 after 1 and 6 hours of the reaction, respectively. The radical mechanism for the oxidation reaction of cyclohexene was assessed by Raman and EPR spectroscopy. The first evidenced the formation of Cu-O2 adducts and the second permitted is to observe the presence of the oxygen centered radical species, which act as initiators of the reaction chain to generate the products. An increase in the temperature of the reaction correlates with the adduct formation, and with the enhancement of the oxidation reaction.

Tuneable nature of metal organic frameworks as heterogeneous solid catalysts for alcohol oxidation

This Feature article describes on the recent developments in the use of metal organic frameworks as heterogeneous solid catalysts for the selective alcohol oxidation by either tuning the actives sites around the metal centre, or anchoring them on the ligands or using the pores to embed metal nanoparticles inside.