| Summary: | In this study, we report the design, synthesis, and catalytic application of the novel nitrogen-rich Zn(II) MOF [Zn<sub>2</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-1κ<i>N</i>,<i>2</i>κ<i>N</i>′,<i>3</i>κ<i>O</i>-HL)<sub>2</sub>(DMF)<sub>2</sub>]<sub>n</sub>·nH<sub>2</sub>O (HL<sup>2−</sup> = 4-((4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoate), denoted as <b>ZnMOF</b>, for the efficient conversion of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) to cyclic carbonates via cycloaddition with epoxides. It was synthesised from a tetrazole appended amide-functionalised pro-ligand (<b>H<sub>3</sub>L</b>) and Zn(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O under hydrothermal conditions. The synthesised material was characterised namely by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The catalytic potential of <b>ZnMOF</b> was investigated in the CO<sub>2</sub> cycloaddition reaction with various epoxides, with conversions ranging from 17% to 99%. The catalyst retained its activity across multiple reaction cycles, demonstrating its stability and reusability. The influence of co-catalysts on the reaction was explored, with tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) emerging as the most effective one. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed.
|
|---|