Anchoring of Cu(II) onto surface of porous metal-organic framework through post-synthesis modification for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles

Efficient synthesis of various benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles under mild conditions catalyzed by Cu (II) anchored onto UiO-66-NH2 metal organic framework is reported. In this manner, first, the aminated UiO-66 was modified with thiophene-2-carbaldehyde and then the prepared Schiff base was reacted with CuCl2. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N-2 adsorption, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The UiO-66-NH2-TC-Cu was applied as a highly efficient catalyst for synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives by the reaction of aldehydes with 1,2-diaminobenzene or 2-aminothiophenol. The Cu(II)-containing MOF was reused several times without any appreciable loss of its efficiency. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.