Novel 3D Nitrogen-Rich Metal Organic Framework for Highly Efficient CO2 Adsorption and Catalytic Conversion to Cyclic Carbonates under Ambient Temperature

A novel Lewis acid base bifunctional Zn(II)-based MOF-Zn-1 [Zn(2)L(2)MA center dot 2DMF] (MA = melamine, H2L = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid), with abundant micropores and free-NH2 groups was facilely assembled by incorporating zinc(II) ion with nitrogen-rich melamine and 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid ligands. The constructed MOF-Zn-1 presented an excellent affinity toward CO2 molecules due to the Lewis-base property together with abundant micropores. The Zn active sites could be used for epoxide activation. The acid-base synergistic effects facilitated CO2 conversion into cyclic carbonates under ambient temperature using the porous MOF-Zn-1 as a heterogeneous catalyst. Moreover, the MOF-Zn-1 exhibited satisfied stability and versatility, and it was easy to recycle with no obvious decrease of catalytic activity. Then the feasible synergistic mechanism of MOF-Zn-1/Bu4NBr catalysts for CO2 conversion was proposed.