Enhanced catalytic activity of nanoporous Cu3(BTC)2 metal-organic framework via immobilization of oxodiperoxo molybdenum complex

Molybdenum(VI) oxodiperoxo complex was immobilized into a post synthetically modified Cu-3(BTC)(2) metal-organic framework (abbreviated as CuBTC MOF, BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate). Characterization of the modified CuBTC MOF by Fourier transform infrared and atomic absorption spectroscopies as well as thermogravimetric and CHN elemental analyses confirmed successful modification of the framework. Powder X-ray diffraction revealed a shift for all peaks to smaller 2 theta angles during the molybdenum complex attachment as the result of MOF expansion. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption techniques demonstrated a significant decrease in BET surface area and total pore volume during the modification process. The resulting molybdenum-containing MOF showed higher catalytic activity and selectivity than the CuBTC MOF due to the presence of the molybdenum(VI) oxodiperoxo complex.