The arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic acids using metal-organic framework Ni(HBTC)BPY as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst

A highly crystalline porous Ni(HBTC)BPY was synthesized from the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, nickel nitrate hexahydrate, and 4,4′-bipyridine by a solvothermal method. Physical characterizations of the solid catalyst were achieved by using several techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and nitrogen physisorption measurements. The Ni(HBTC)BPY exhibited high catalytic activity in the arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic acids to form diarylmethanols. The catalyst could be separated from the reaction mixture by simple filtration or centrifugation, and could be reused without a significant degradation in catalytic activity. No contribution from homogeneous catalysis of active species leaching into the liquid phase was detected.

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► Ni(HBTC)BPY was synthesized and characterized.
► Ni(HBTC)BPY was used as catalyst for the arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic acids.
► High conversions were achieved.
► The catalyst could be reused.