Merging metal-organic framework catalysis with organocatalysis: A thiourea functionalized heterogeneous catalyst at the nanoscale

A new thiourea-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst was synthesized. It overcomes recycling, self-aggregation and solvation issues that exist in homogeneous thiourea catalysts. Nanomorphology was introduced to increase the dispersion of the solid catalyst in solvent. Acetalization and Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions were catalyzed using the new thiourea MOF catalyst.