Enhancing the Catalytic Activity in the Solid State: Metal-Organic Frameworks to the Rescue

A Metalated Porous Porphyrin Polymer with [Co(CO)4]- Anion as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Ring Expanding Carbonylation

The synthesis of β-lactones from epoxides through ring-expanding carbonylation using homogeneous catalysts has received much attention. However, homogeneous catalysts suffer from difficulty in product separation and recycling of the catalyst, limiting their industrial usage. Herein, a novel heterogeneous catalyst, [Cr-metalated porous porphyrin polymer]⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻, was prepared and used for the conversion of propylene oxide (PO) to β-butyrolactone; this catalyst presented superior catalytic activity and selectivity (99%) than our previous heterogeneous catalyst. In addition, the catalyst was readily separated from the product without significant loss of catalytic activity. A possible method to recover the original catalytic activity also was demonstrated.

Highly shape- and regio-selective peroxy–trifluoromethylation of styrene by metal–organic framework Cu3(BTC)2

The peroxy and trifluoromethyl groups play important roles in pharmacy, but it is challenging to introduce both of them selectively into the target molecules in a homogeneous catalytic system.