Aluminum metal–organic framework as a new host for preparation of encapsulated metal complex catalysts

•MIL-100(Al) was employed as a host for encapsulation of metal complexes.•CuPhen were successfully encapsulated in the cages of MIL-100(Al).•CuPhen encapsulated in MlL-100(Al) were more active than those in zeolite Y.•CuPhen encapsulated in MlL-100(Al) gave high activity in cycloalkane oxidation.

A facile strategy for encapsulation of metal complex guests into MOFs was proposed. This strategy involves pre-adsorbing metal salt on MOF, and then coordinating the metal ions with the organic ligand, as exemplified by encapsulation of tris(1,10-phenanthroline) Cu(II) complexes (CuPhen) in MIL-100(Al) (denoted as CuPhen/MIL). CuPhen encapsulated in MIL-100(Al) showed higher catalytic activity than the neat CuPhen and CuPhen encapsulated in zeolite-Y. The prepared CuPhen/MIL catalyst was stable and could be reused at least three times without significant loss in activity. This work is beneficial for the host–guest chemistry study and the development of new heterogeneous catalysts.

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