Post-synthetic modification of nanoporous Cu3(BTC)2 metal-organic framework via immobilization of a molybdenum complex for selective epoxidation

•Nanoporous MOF, Cu3(BTC)2, was functionalized through post-synthetic modification.•The functionalized MOF as a heterogeneous catalyst in epoxidation reactions.•High efficiency of Mo–AMP–CuBTC in the epoxidation reaction compared to CuBTC.

In the present work, nanoporous Cu3(BTC)2 (abbreviated as CuBTC and BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) metal-organic framework (MOF) was modified in a two-step post-synthetic reaction by covalent attachment of aminopyridine groups followed by the reaction with bis(acetylacetonato) dioxomolybdenum(VI). The prepared molybdenum containing MOF was utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst in the epoxidation of olefins and allylic alcohols. Characterization of the prepared catalyst was performed using Fourier transform infrared, atomic absorption spectroscopies, CHN elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen adsorption/desorption techniques. The resulting catalyst showed high selectivity and catalytic activity toward the epoxidation reaction. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrated size-selective properties suggested the reaction occurred inside the pores.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (235 K)Download as PowerPoint slideFunctionalized nanoporous Cu3(BTC)2 metal-organic framework (MOF) utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst in epoxidation of olefins and allyl alcohols.