[Zn4O] Cluster-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for Conversion of CO2

main observation and conclusion One unique two-dimensional (2D) Zn-MOF {Na[Zn-1.5(mu(4)-O)(L)]}(n) (1) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Four Zn atoms are bridged through mu(4)-O to form [Zn4O] clusters, which are further linked to form a 2D layer network through sharing Zn as vertexes. 1 exhibits high thermal stability up to 280 degrees C and keeps stable in common solvents and water solutions with pH ranging from 1 to 13. The catalytic studies reveal that compound 1 exhibits excellent catalytic activity for cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mild conditions. Furthermore, 1 demonstrates good generality in CO2 coupling reaction with extensive epoxides. Importantly, 1 can be reused for at least five times without significant reduction in catalytic ability.