Novel Synthesis of Cu-Schiff Base Complex@Metal-Organic Framework MIL-101 via a Mild Method: A Comparative Study for Rapid Catalytic Effects

The use of metal complex immobilized/decorated porous materials as catalysts has found various applications. As such, finding a new and mild method for synthesis of metal complex immobilized over porous material is of great interest. Immobilized porous materials for styrene oxidation were reported in this work. Immobilized porous material of Cu-Schiff base complex @MIL-101 were described, in which immobilized Cu-Schiff base complex within super cage of a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based porous material, chromium (III) terephthalate MIL-101. They were systematically characterized by using elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N-2 absorption-desorption, and so on, also used as catalyst for the selective oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde. Comparatively, the immobilized heterogeneous catalyst of Cu-Schiff base complex@MIL-101 acted as an efficient heterostructure catalyst in the oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde up to six cycles, and showed superior activity for styrene oxidation over MIL-101.