Synthesis of porphyrin@MOFs type catalysts through “one-pot” self-assembly

•Two new porphyrin@MOFs type catalysts were synthesized through self-assembly approach.•CuTNPP@MOF exhibited a higher activity for the oxidation of DTBC.•A synergistic effect between the two structural components of CuTNPP@MOF was found.•The copper center of CuTNPP and the open copper sites within MOF are active sites.

Reaction of 1,1-bis-[3,5-bis(carboxy) phenoxy]methane (H4L) and CuCl2 in the presence of meso-tetrakis[4-(nicotinoyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TNPP) and manganese complex of TNPP (MnTNPP), respectively, under solvothermal condition afforded CuTNPP@MOF and MnTNPP@MOF, microporous metal-organic materials containing neutral CuTNPP or MnTNPP molecules in their frameworks. The nitrogen sorption isotherm measurement, ultraviolet visible adsorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterizations showed that CuTNPP@MOF and MnTNPP@MOF were permanently porous and had heterogeneous catalytic activity for the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol.

Graphical abstractTwo new porphyrin@MOFs type catalysts, CuTNPP@MOF and MnTNPP@MOF, have been synthesized through “one-pot” self-assembly approach, which are permanently porous and exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (265 K)Download as PowerPoint slide