Cu2+-doped zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8): efficient and stable catalysts for cycloadditions and condensation reactions

Cu2+-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) crystals were efficiently prepared by reaction of Cu(NO3)(2), Zn(NO3)(2), and 2-methylimidazole in methanol at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the Cu/ZIF-8 particles were nanosized (between ca. 120 and 170 nm) and that the body-centered cubic crystal lattice of the parent ZIF-8 framework is continuously maintained, regardless of the doping percentage. Moreover, thermogravimetric analyses and specific BET surface area measurements demonstrated that the doping does not alter the high stability of ZIF-8 crystals and that the porosity only decreases at a high doping percentage (25% in Cu2+). The Cu/ZIF-8 material showed excellent catalytic activity in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of organic azides with alkynes and in Friedlander and Combes condensations due to the high catalyst surface area and the high dispersion of Cu/ZIF-8 particles. Notably, the Cu/ZIF-8 particles not only exhibit excellent performance but also show great stability in the reaction, allowing their reuse up to ten times in condensation reactions. Our findings explored a simple and powerful way to incorporate metal ions into the backbones of open framework materials without losing their properties.