One-pot synthesis of bimetal MOFs as highly efficient catalysts for selective oxidation of styrene

Abstract

A series of novel bimetallic organic framework materials (Cux-Coy-MOF) have been successfully prepared by a simple one-pot synthetic method, and their characters were evaluated via means of various techniques. The tested data showed a series of Cux-Coy-MOFs displayed good crystallinity and the doping of Co in original Cu-based framework would not change the morphology of the MOF catalysts. The catalytic activity of prepared materials was tested in the catalytic oxidation of styrene in the presence of TBHP. The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature and other reaction conditions on catalytic performance were systematically studied. The results revealed that the introduction of Co can improve the selectivity to form epoxides and reduce the yield of benzaldehyde without affecting the conversion rate of catalytic oxidation reaction of styrene. Excitingly, the Cu0.25-Co0.75-MOF showed better catalytic performance than Cu-MOF and Co-MOF under the optimal reaction conditions, the conversion rate of styrene reached 97.81%, and styrene oxide selectivity reached 83.04%, which indicated a significant synergistic effect of the Cu/Co bimetallic MOF. Furthermore, the Cu0.25-Co0.75-MOF catalyst exhibited good reusability that could be reused at least four times without significant inactivation. A series of novel bimetallic organic framework materials (Cux-Coy-MOF) have been successfully prepared via a simple one-pot synthetic method, and they exhibited high activity and selectivity as catalyst towards for oxidation of styrene.