Towards applications of metal–organic frameworks in catalysis: Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction over IRMOF-8 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst

A highly porous metal–organic framework (IRMOF-8) was synthesized by a solvothermal method, and used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction. The solid catalyst was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and nitrogen physisorption measurements. High conversions were achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of the IRMOF-8 (1–5 mol%) without the need for an inert atmosphere. The solid catalyst could be facilely separated from the reaction mixture by simple centrifugation, and could be reused without a significant degradation in catalytic activity. No contribution from homogeneous catalysis of active acid species leaching into the reaction solution was detected.

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► IRMOF-8 was synthesized and characterized.
► IRMOF-8 was used as catalyst for the Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction.
► High conversions were achieved using catalytic amounts of the IRMOF-8.
► The catalyst could be reused.