Metal-organic-framework-based materials as green catalysts for alcohol oxidation

Abstract

The selective oxidation of alcohols is widely regarded as one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis. Although efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts for alcohol oxidation are highly desirable, their development remains an enormous challenge. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts have demonstrated great potential in the catalytic oxidation of alcohols and have remarkably progressed in the past few decades owing to their advantages of large surface area, tunable porous structure, abundant accessible active sites, and ease of reuse and recycling. In this review, recent representative results of the catalytic oxidation of alcohols by MOF-based materials are summarized and classified according to the type of material and reaction, such as pristine MOFs, MOF composites, and MOF derivatives for traditional thermal catalysis, photo-assisted catalysis, and electro-assisted catalysis. Each catalytic system is described in detail from multiple aspects, including the materials synthesis process, catalytic performance, alcohol oxidation mechanisms, and material stability. Thus, the aims of this review are to identify potentially efficient, green, and reusable MOF-based catalytic systems and to provide new insights for the further development of catalytic alcohol oxidation to obtain the target organics.