Framework Copper Catalyzed Oxidative Synthesis of Quinazolinones: A Benign Approach Using Cu3(BTC)2MOF as an Efficient and Reusable Catalyst

A benign and straightforward method to access quinazolinones have been developed using easily preparable Cu-3(BTC)(2)MOF as a sustainable solid-Lewis acid catalyst under mild condition. Cu-3(BTC)(2)MOF was prepared and characterized using various analytical tools such as PXRD, FT-IR, SEM, TGA, and ICP-OES. Synthesis of the quinazolinone is catalyzed by the presence of coordinatively unsaturated open Cu(II)sites in Cu-3(BTC)(2)MOF using renewable ethanol as a solvent with minimum copper loading (0.07 mmol) without any harsh reaction condition. A series of substituted quinazolinones were synthesized with good to excellent yields. The efficiency of the present framework copper catalysts was rationalized by comparing with other MOFs and homogeneous catalytic systems. The stability of the catalyst was demonstrated by six consecutive runs and heterogeneity test, which was also evidenced from the technical supports such as PXRD, FT-IR and SEM analyses of the recovered catalyst.