Claisen-Schmidt Condensation Catalyzed by Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic framework [Fe(BTC) (BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid)] is a convenient heterogeneous catalyst for the carbon-carbon bond forming reaction in toluene between acetophenone and benzaldehyde to give selectively chalcone in high yield. Fe(BTC) appears as a general catalyst rivatives bearing various functionalities. Fe(BTC) could be recycled with no significant loss of catalytic efficiency and crystallinity in subsequent runs.