Friedel-Crafts Acylation of p-Xylene over Sulfonated Zirconium Terephthalates

In this study, a sulfonated Zr-terephthalate metal-organic framework (MOF) (UiO-66-SO3H) was prepared using two different methods: post-synthetic grafting onto the Zr open metal sites and direct solvothermal method using monosodium 2-sulfoterephthalate. Their catalytic activities for the acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts acylation of p-xylene with benzoyl chloride were compared. The physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of the functionalized MOF structure was found to be strongly dependent on the synthesis scheme. UiO-66-SO3H prepared by a direct solvothermal route exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability compared to that prepared by post-synthetic grafting.