Structure analysis and catalytic property of a microporous framework based on a flexible tripodal ligand with novel conformations

A microporous metal–organic framework {[Cu3Cl6(ttmb)4]·6H2O}n (1) (ttmb = 1,3,5-tris(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzene) with tetranodal (3,4)-connected topological type was prepared by the self-assembly reaction of the flexible tripodal ligand ttmb with CuCl2·2H2O. The ligand exhibits two infrequent coordination conformations in complex 1, and the framework has a large pore volume (remove the solvent molecules) of 1781.6 Å3 (36.3% of the total). The test of 1 as the catalyst in the oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6-dimethylphenol indicates that it is catalytically active by showing high conversion of DMP under the optimized reaction condition.

► We synthesized a microporous metal–organic framework with a large pore volume.
► The tripodal ligand in complex 1 exhibits two infrequent coordination conformations.
► Complex 1 shows high catalytically active in the green oxidative coupling reaction of DMP.