A novel yttrium-based metal-organic framework for the efficient solvent-free catalytic synthesis of cyanohydrin silyl ethers

A cobalt(II) coordination polymer-derived catalyst engineered via temperature-induced semi-reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) dehydration for efficient liquid-phase epoxidation of olefins

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformations provide more avenues for phase transitions, which have piqued great interest in crystal engineering. In this work, a 3D Co(II)-based coordination polymer (CP), {Co2(OH2)8(btec)}·4H2O (1), (where (btec)4- = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate) undergoes SCSC transition upon heating at 180 °C to afford an anhydrous phase [Co2(btec)] (1'). Room-temperature water-vapour induced semi-reversible SCSC transformation of 1' involves condensation of two water molecules coordinating to the metal cluster, yielding a new framework [Co2(OH2)2(btec)] (2). These SCSC transitions were accomplished through a sequential bond breaking and new bond formation process which was accompanied by colour changes from orange (1) → violet (1') → pink (2). All materials were structurally elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and further established by various analytical techniques. According to SCXRD data, all the frameworks possess octahedral geometries around the cobalt(II) sphere. SCXRD studies further revealed that 1 is a polymeric architecture with a binodal 4-c sql topology while 1' and 2 possess (3,6)-c kgd and (4,6)-c scu 3D nets, respectively. By virtue of multitopicity exhibited by the tetracarboxylate, the coordination number of the linker around the Co(II) sphere increased from four (in 1) to eight (in 1') and then decreased to six (in 2). Most interestingly, permanent porosity could be observed for the dihydrate 2, originated from potential void space as substantiated by dinitrogen (N2) sorption isotherm. These porous frameworks were active catalysts for the aerobic epoxidation of the model substrate cyclohexene using molecular oxygen (O2) as the final oxidant in the presence of the sacrificial i-butyraldehyde (IBA) reductant. For using the dihydrous phase 2, cyclohexene and various other olefins were catalytically oxidised to their corresponding epoxides with up to 38.5% conversion and 99.0% selectivity. The catalyst 2 can be expediently recycled in four runs without significant loss of activity. This research demonstrates that a little innovation in the active-site-engineered organic-inorganic hybrid materials can significantly enhance the catalytic performance and selectivity of coordination polymer-derived heterogeneous catalysts.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Performance of a New Heterobimetallic Y/Tb Metal-Organic Framework with High Catalytic Activity

A three-dimensional heterobimetallic porous structure with the formula {[Y3.5Tb1.5L6(OH)3(H2O)1.5 (DMF)1.5] n ·1.5H2O·DMF} n (L = 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoate) (Y/Tb-MOF) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), electrophoretic mobility, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The structure presents two metal environments: a bioaugmented isosceles wedge (mm2) MO8 and a tricapped trigonal prism (-6m2) MN3O6. These configurations facilitate the creation of channels with a diameter of 10.7 Å, enabling its utilization as an active catalyst where the heterobimetallic nature of the assembly will be explored. This mixed-metal metal-organic framework has been tested in the cycloaddition of epoxides with carbon dioxide as well as in the cyanosilylation and hydroboration reactions of carbonylic substrates. Additionally, a monometallic Tb-MOF analogue has been synthesized for comparative evaluation of their catalytic performances. Both the mixed metal and monometallic variants exhibit outstanding activity in the cyanosilylation and hydroboration of carbonyls and in the synthesis of carbonates under CO2 pressure. However, only the latter exhibits high recyclability.

Quest for a Desolvated Structure Unveils Breathing Phenomena in a MOF Leading to Greener Catalysis in a Solventless Setup: Insights from Combined Experimental and Computational Studies

The crystal structure of the metal-organic framework (MOF), {Mn2(1,4-bdc)2(DMF)2}n (1) (1,4-bdcH2, 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid; DMF, N,N-dimethylformamide), is known for a long time; however, its desolvated structure, {Mn2(1,4-bdc)2}n (1'), is not yet known. The first-principles-based computational simulation was used to unveil the structure of 1' that shows the expansion in the framework, leading to pore opening after the removal of coordinated DMF molecules. We have used 1' that contains open metal sites (OMSs) in the structure in cyanosilylation and CO2 cycloaddition reactions and recorded complete conversions in a solventless setup. The pore opening in 1' allows the facile diffusion of small aldehyde molecules into the channels, leading to complete conversion. The reactions with larger aldehydes, 2-naphthaldehyde and 9-anthracenecarboxaldehyde, also show 99.9% conversions, which are the highest reported until date in solventless conditions. The in silico simulations illustrate that larger aldehydes interact with Mn(II) OMSs on the surfaces, enabling a closer interaction and facilitating complete conversions. The catalyst shows high recyclability, exhibiting 99.9% conversions in the successive reaction cycles with negligible change in the structure. Our investigations illustrate that the catalyst 1' is economical, efficient, and robust and allows reactions in a solventless greener setup, and therefore the catalysis with 1' can be regarded as "green catalysis".

Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Modulated Photoluminescent Emission of Coordination Polymer Based on 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate Zn and Co Metal Ions

As a starting point, a new 3D porous framework with the {[CoL]·0.5DMF·H₂O}_n chemical formula (where L = 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoate) is described. Its performance as a single molecule magnet was explored. The study of magnetic properties reveals that Co-MOF shows no frequency-fdependant alternating current (ac) signals under zero direct current (dc) magnetic field, whereas single-molecule magnet behaviour is achieved when Co^II ions are diluted in a Zn^II based matrix. Interestingly, this strategy renders a bifunctional [Co_xZn_1-xL]_n material that is also characterized by a strong photoluminescent emitting capacity.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on a Janus-Head Biquinoline Ligand as Catalysts in the Transformation of Carbonyl Compounds into Cyanohydrins and Alcohols

A new family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) named GR-MOFs with the chemical formula {[M _x (BCA) _y ](H₂O) _z (DMF) _w } (x,y,z,w: 1,1,2,0; 1,1.5,0,1; 1,2,2,1; and 1,1,0,2 for GR-MOF-11 to 14, respectively) based on s-block [M: Sr (GR-MOF-11), Ba (GR-MOF-14)] and d-block [M: Y (GR-MOF-12) and Cd (GR-MOF-13)] metals together with the biquinoline ligand 2,2'-bicinchoninic acid (H₂BCA) has been synthetized by a solvothermal route and fully characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence, particle size distribution through optical microscopy, electrophoretic mobility, and finally, X-ray single-crystal and powder diffraction. The structural characterization reveals that these 2D and 3D MOFs possess a rich variety of coordination modes that maintained the Janus-head topology on the ligand in most of the cases. The new MOFs were studied in the catalyzed cyanosilylation and hydroboration of an extensive group of aldehydes and ketones, wherein the s-block metal-based MOFs GR-MOF-11 and GR-MOF-14 provided the highest efficiency ever reported in the MOF-catalyzed cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds by using only 0.5 mol % of catalyst loading, room temperature, and solvent-free conditions. Furthermore, the hydroboration of ketones has been reported for the first time with this type of s-block metal catalysts obtaining from moderate to good conversions.

Antibacterial Activity of Two Zn-MOFs Containing a Tricarboxylate Linker

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be used as reservoirs of metal ions with relevant antibacterial effects. Here, two novel Zn-based MOFs with the formulas [Zn₄(μ₄-O)(μ-FA)L₂] (GR-MOF-8) and [Zn₄(μ₄-O)L₂(H₂O)] (GR-MOF-9) (H₃L: 5-((4-carboxyphenyl)ethynyl) in isophthalic acid and FA (formate anion) were solvothermally synthetized and fully characterized. The antibacterial activity of GR-MOF-8 and 9 was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Escherichia Coli (EC) by the agar diffusion method. Both bacteria are among the most relevant human and animal pathogens, causing a wide variety of infections, and are often related with the development of antimicrobial resistances. While both Zn-based materials exhibited antibacterial activity against both strains, GR-MOF-8 showed the highest inhibitory action, likely due to a more progressive Zn release under the tested experimental conditions. This is particularly evidenced in the inhibition of SA, with an increasing effect of GR-MOF-8 with time, which is of great significance to ensure the disappearance of the microorganism.

Multifunctional Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior, Luminescent Properties for Thermometry, and CO2 Adsorptive Capacity

Herein, we describe and study a new family of isostructural multifunctional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formula {[Ln₅L₆(OH)₃(DMF)₃]·5H₂O}_n (where (H₂L) is 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid ligand) for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, three of the materials (Dy-, Er-, and Yb-based MOFs) present single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior derived from the magnetic anisotropy of the lanthanide ions as a consequence of the adequate electronic distribution of the coordination environment. Additionally, photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu–Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers. Finally, the porous nature of the framework allowed showing the CO₂ sorption capacity.

A new family of isostructural multifunctional metal−organic frameworks has been described and studied for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, some materials present single-molecule magnet behavior, and photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu−Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers. Finally, the porous nature of the framework allowed showing the CO₂ sorption capacity.

A Mixed Heterobimetallic Y/Eu-MOF for the Cyanosilylation and Hydroboration of Carbonyls

Herein, to the best of our knowledge, the first heterobimetallic Y/Eu porous metal–organic framework (MOF), based on 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (H2L) ligand, with the following formulae {[Y3.5Eu1.5L6(OH)3(H2O)3]·12DMF}n (in advance, namely Y/Eu-MOF), is described. The three-dimensional structure has been synthesized by solvothermal routes and thoroughly characterized, by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, electronic microscopy, ICP-AES, electrophoretic mobility, and FTIR spectra. Intriguingly, the porous nature allows for coordinated solvent molecules displacement, yielding unsaturated metal centers, which can act as a Lewis acid catalyst. This novel supramolecular entity has been tested in cyanosilylation and hydroboration reactions on carbonyl substrates of a diverse nature, exhibiting an extraordinary activity.

Catalytic Performance and Electrophoretic Behavior of an Yttrium-Organic Framework Based on a Tricarboxylic Asymmetric Alkyne

A new Y-based metal-organic framework (MOF) GR-MOF-6 with a chemical formula of {[YL(DMF)₂]·(DMF)}_n {H₃L = 5-[(4-carboxyphenyl)ethynyl] isophthalic acid; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide} has been prepared by a solvothermal route. Structural characterization reveals that this novel material is a three-dimensional MOF in which the coordination of the tritopic ligand to Y(III) metal ions leads to an intercrossing channel system extending over three dimensions. This material has proven to be a very efficient catalyst in the cyanosilylation of carbonyls, ranking second in catalytic activity among the reported rare earth metal-based MOFs described so far but with the lowest required catalyst loading. In addition, its electrophoretic behavior has been studied in depth, providing a zero-charge point between pH 4 and 5, a peak electrophoretic mobility of -1.553 μm cm V^-1 s^-1, and a ζ potential of -19.8 mV at pH 10.