Characterization and Catalytic Activity of New Metal-organic Frameworks Resulted from Self-assembly of Ph3SnCl, K[Cu(CN)2] and Nitrogen Donor Ligands

Five new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of the general composition [Ph3SnCu(CN)(2)center dot L], where L=pyrazine (pyz) (1), methylpyrazine (mepyz) (2), 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) (3), trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene (tbpe) (4) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) (5), have been synthesized and characterized to test their potential applications as catalysts. The structures of the MOFs 1-5 mainly consist of Cu(CN)(2) building blocks connected by the Ph3Sn cations and the bipodal ligand forming polymeric networks. They exhibit strong fluorescence in the solid state. Also, they are used as heterogeneous catalysts for the degradation of azo-dyes, metanil yellow (MY) by diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The reaction is first order with respect to MY dye, while the factors affecting the rate constant of the degradation reaction are investigated. The activation parameters of the reaction have been estimated and a possible mechanism has been proposed.