Highly Efficient Catalytic Esterification in an -SO3H-Functionalized Cr(III)-MOF

A sulfonic acid functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) Cr-3(mu O-3)(H2O)(3)(NDC(SO3H5/6)(2))(3) (BUT-8(Cr)-SO3H, NDC(SO3H)(2)(2-) = 4,8-disulfonaphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylatlate) with high chemical and thermal stability is used for the catalytic esterification, showing excellent performanceinm vrinous esterification reactions of monoacids, diacids, and acid anhydrides. In the structure of this MOF, uniformly distributed catalytic active sites of Bronsted acidic -SO3H with high density are decorated on its one-dimensional channels, which leads to improved catalytic activity. The reaction conversion and corresponding yield of esters can achieve >99% and >90%, respectively. BUT-8(Cr)-SO3H also represents good size-selectivity in the catalytic esterification owning to the strinc or impeded diffusion effects of reactantsinm its pore structure. In addition, its robust structure also guarantees good reusability. On the basis of the above advantages and excellent catalytic performance, this acid group functionalized MOF could be a promising candidate for the sustainable chemical catalysis.