Porous SB-Cu1 two-dimensional metal-organic framework: The green catalyst towards C-N bond-forming reactions

The main advantage of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) catalysts over other heterogeneous catalysts is that they can be designed to have reaction sites within molecularly well-defined and tunable structures to achieve high catalytic performance. In recent years, several types of metal-organic frameworks with copper(II) have been synthesized for a wide range of applications but there is still few reports for MOFs containing copper(I). Herein, the rod-like crystals SB-Cu1 were synthesized through coordination bonding of bbp ligand and CuI. Inside porous two-dimensional SB-Cu1 each Cu(I) center lies in a tetrahedral coordination sphere of pyridyl groups. This study demonstrates that SB-Cu1 with its desirable features: high porosity, open metal sites (Cu (I)) and benzimidazole (bronsted base) could play as a dual heterogeneous catalyst for C-N forming reactions to synthesize products in good to excellent yields(70-85%). In this work, ethanol as green solvent and a wide variety of imidazole, pyrrole, amine and aryl halide have been used for preparing products. Also, the MOF catalyst was recovered and reused at least five times without loss of activity.

Automated summary

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) catalysts with molecularly well-defined and tunable structures have advantages in achieving high catalytic performance. This study synthesized copper(I) SB-Cu1 catalyst and demonstrated its excellent catalytic activity and recyclability in C-N forming reactions.