Lanthanide Carboxylate Frameworks: Efficient Heterogeneous Catalytic System for Epoxidation of Olefins

Two lanthanide-based three dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOF) viz. [Nd(HCOO)(3)](n) (1) and [Pr(HCOO)(3)](n) (2) have been synthesized and characterized. Both the compounds have similar structure. In this study we have demonstrated that the compounds are highly efficient in catalyzing epoxidation of various cyclic and linear olefinic substrates. MOF compounds are stable and recyclable under the reaction conditions. Notably, MOF systems are remarkably more active and selective than the corresponding lanthanide oxide in epoxidation reaction of olefins.