Cobalt metal-organic framework and its composite membranes as heterogeneous catalysts for cyanosilylation and strecker reactions

Abstract

A new porous Co-MOF, {Co2(μ3-OH)(L)(H2O)2}n (1, H3L = 5- ((4′- (tetrazol- 5''- yl) benzyl) oxy) isophthalic acid) was designed and synthesized under solvothermal conditions and displayed a classic 5-node uninodal boron nitride (bnn) topology as well as good catalytic activity for cyanosilylation and Strecker reactions at room temperature. Then using 1 as the filler and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as the matrix，composite nanofiber membrane 1@PVDF-n and mixed matrix membrane 1@PVDF-m were successfully prepared via the electrospinning technique and casting method, respectively. These two composite membrane catalysts could be easily separated from the reaction system and reused many times without loss of activity. Moreover, compared with 1@PVDF-m, 1@PVDF-n showed better catalytic activity owing to its high concentration of MOF doping and hierarchical pore structure which facilitated the contact between the substrates and the catalytic active centers in a certain region. It provides a new strategy for developing new MOF-based heterogeneous catalysts.