Efficient alkene epoxidation catalyzed by molybdenyl acetylacetonate supported on aminated UiO-66 metal−organic framework

• UiO-66-NH2 was modified with salicylaldehyde and thiophene-2-carbaldehyde.
• The Schiff base groups were used for immobilization of MoO2(acac)2.
• The heterogeneous catalysts were prepared.
• The prepared catalysts were used for epoxidation of alkenes.
• Compared to other catalyst, our catalysts were more efficient and forceful.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing Mo Schiff base complexes were prepared by post-synthesis method and applied as efficient catalysts in the epoxidation of alkenes with tert-BuOOH. In this manner, UiO-66-NH2 (UiO=University of Oslo) MOF was reacted with salicylaldehyde and thiophene-2-carbaldehyde to produce bidentate Schiff bases. Then, the Schiff base ligands were used for immobilization of molybdenyl acetylacetonate. These new catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, UV–vis spectroscopic techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). These catalytic systems showed excellent activity in the epoxidation of alkenes such as cyclic and linear ones with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in 1,2-dichloroethane, and reused several times without any appreciable loss of their activity.

Efficient alkene epoxidation with TBHP catalyzed by heterogeneous and reusable molybdenum base catalysts is reported.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide