Knoevenagel Condensation Reactions Catalysed by Metal-Organic Frameworks

Functionalised metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) which contain amino groups on their secondary building units (SBUs) are basic catalysts in the Knoevenagel condensation. University of Michigan Crystalline Material-1-amine (UMCM-1-NH2), Isoreticular MOF-3 (IRMOF-3) and a 5 % IRMOF-3 mixed in Isoreticular MOF-1 (MIXMOF) were evaluated as solid basic catalysts and demonstrated to be more active than aniline, their homogenous anologue. UMCM-1-NH2's performance was higher than that of the other MOFs studied. IRMOF-3 and MIXMOF proved to have equal catalytic ability. Their catalytic performance was monitored at various temperatures and in different solvents for the reaction between benzaldehyde and ethyl acetoacetate or ethyl cyanoacetate.