Diimino Nickel Complex Anchored into the MOF Cavity as Catalyst for Epoxidation of Chalcones and Bischalcones

Nickel-pyridylimine complex was incorporated into (Cr)NH2-MIL-101 through condensation of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde and NiCl2 in presence of (Cr)NH2-MIL-101-MOF in a one pot method. The prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and NMR methods. The obtained catalyst demonstrates an appropriate pattern for a post-synthetic covalent modification with catalytic active sites. This heterogeneous catalyst showed efficiency in the epoxidation reaction of chalcones and bischalcones, and exhibited appropriate recyclability, rather short reaction times and high yields.