A Ru-Complex Tethered to a N-Rich Covalent Triazine Framework for Tandem Aerobic Oxidation-Knoevenagel Condensation Reactions

Herein, a highly N-rich covalent triazine framework (CTF) is applied as support for a Ru-III complex. The bipyridine sites within the CTF provide excellent anchoring points for the [Ru(acac)(2)(CH3CN)(2)]PF6 complex. The obtained robust Ru-III@bipy-CTF material was applied for the selective tandem aerobic oxidation-Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The presented system shows a high catalytic performance (>80% conversion of alcohols to alpha, beta-unsaturated nitriles) without the use of expensive noble metals. The bipy-CTF not only acts as the catalyst support but also provides the active sites for both aerobic oxidation and Knoevenagel condensation reactions. This work highlights a new perspective for the development of highly efficient and robust heterogeneous catalysts applying CTFs for cascade catalysis.

Automated summary

In this study, a highly N-rich covalent triazine framework (CTF) is utilized as a support for a Ru-III complex, which shows high catalytic performance in selective tandem aerobic oxidation-Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The obtained material not only serves as a catalyst support, but also provides active sites for both aerobic oxidation and Knoevenagel condensation reactions. This work demonstrates a new perspective for developing highly efficient and robust heterogeneous catalysts using CTFs for cascade catalysis.