Vanadium-Node-Functionalized UiO-66: A Thermally Stable MOF-Supported Catalyst for the Gas-Phase Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexene

The OH groups on the Zr-based nodes of ultrastable UiO-66 can be metallated with V-V ions in a facile fashion to give the derivative VUiO-66. This metallated MOF exhibits high stability over a broad temperature range and displays high selectivity for benzene under low-conversion conditions in the vapor-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexene (activation energy similar to 110 kJ/mol). The integrity of the MOF is maintained after catalysis as determined by PXRD, ICP-AES, and SEM.