Metal–organic frameworks as a very suitable reaction inductor for selective solvent-free multicomponent reaction: IRMOF-3 as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst for Kabachnik–Fields three-component reaction

•Nanoporous metal–organic framework (MOFs) as heterogeneous catalyst.•Unfunctionalized IRMOF-3 for Kabachnik–Fields reaction.•A reusable green catalyst system using commercially available starting materials was employed.•Represents advantages, operational simplicity, higher yield and environment friendly with easy workup.

IRMOF-3 is found to be an active, selective and stable solid catalyst for three-component, one-pot reaction of amines, aldehydes and dimethyl phosphite to form the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in high yields. The catalyst can be isolated from the reaction mixture and reused at least four times.

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