MOFs based on 1D structural sub-domains with Bronsted acid and redox active sites as effective bi-functional catalysts

A novel family of lamellar MOF-type materials, which contain Bronsted acid sites together with redox active centers, based on assembled 1D organic-inorganic nanoribbons were obtained through direct solvothermal synthesis routes, using specific monotopic benzylcarboxylate spacers with thiol substituents in the para-position like structural modulator compounds and effective post-synthesis oxidized treatments to generate accessible sulfonic groups. Low-dimensional aluminum metal-organic materials, containing free sulfonic pendant groups (Al-ITQ-SO3H), were successfully tested in several acid reactions, such as acetalization, esterification and ring opening of epoxides with a significant impact on fine chemistry processes. The direct introduction of stabilized Pd nanoparticles, cohabitating with pendant sulfonic groups, allowed the preparation of active bi-functional MOF-type hybrid materials (Al-ITQ-SO3H/Pd) capable of carrying out one-pot two-step oxidation-acetalization reactions, exhibiting high yield and high activity during consecutive catalytic cycles.