Ligand free copper-catalyzed heterogeneous O-arylation reaction under green condition

• IRMOF-3 had been post-synthetically modified by pyridine-2-aldehyde and CuCl2.
• Its morphology was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX analyses.
• Its catalytic activity was excellent in the synthesis of diaryl ethers.
• Work-up procedure has been skipped in catalytic reactions.

A highly porous Zn-based iso-reticular metal–organic framework (IRMOF-3) has been selected for covalent modification. Pyridine-2-aldehyde has been used to decorate the free amine group of IRMOF-3 in the porous matrix. Schiff base moiety thus generated has been availed to anchor copper(II) ions to prepare the desired catalyst that catalyzes O-arylation reactions heterogeneously under mild reaction conditions. Porous catalyst demonstrates size selectivity in products when various substrates undergo O-arylation with α and β-naphthol.

NH2 groups of IRMOF-3 have been covalently modified by pyridine-2-aldehyde followed by incorporation of copper. Hybrid system catalyzes O-arylation reaction heterogeneously under green condition.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide