Three novel metal-organic frameworks based on flexible porphyrin tetracarboxylic acids as highly effective catalysts

Targeted synthesis of metalloporphyrinic frameworks (MPFs) with Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2, 3) 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis[4-(carboxymethyleneoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (Cu(TCMOPP) and Ni(TCMOPP)) as building blocks afforded three new extended coordination polymers inter-linked by Zn(II) (1) and K(I) (2, 3). 1 shows 2D frameworks while 2, 3 are 3D frameworks. The open channel are 7–17 Å wide and accessible to guest/solvent molecules. Besides, the thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) indicate that the framework structures of the three compounds are stable until 300 °C. In addition, the catalytic activities of 1–3 to the alkylbenzenes oxidation are examined, and the results indicate that 1 exhibit high catalytic activity to oxidation of ethylbenzene and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene with conversion of 64.1% and 80.3% respectively.

Graphical abstractThree novel metalloporphyrinic frameworks (1, 2, 3) were synthesized based on tetracarboxylic Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2, 3) metalloporphyrin inter-linked by Zn(II) (1) , K(I) (2, 3), and 1 shows high catalytic activity to oxidation reaction of alkylbenzenes with conversion 80.3%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide