Synthesis of Defect‐Engineered Homochiral Metal‐Organic Frameworks Using L‐Amino Acids: A Comprehensive Study of Chiral Catalyst Performance in CO2 Fixation Reaction

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, a novel homochiral zinc‐containing metal‐organic framework (MOF) was achieved via defect engineering strategy and characterized by various techniques including X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunner‐Emmett‐Teller surface area analysis (SBET), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), circular dichroism (CD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results showed that the importing defects in the structure of zinc‐containing MOF did not only significantly affect the basic properties of parent MOF (MOF‐5), including stability, morphology, and crystallinity, but have introduced new features such as chirality in its framework. Subsequently, this new defect‐engineered material was used as a catalyst in the CO2 fixation process and overcame the essential limitations present in this reaction by providing the synergistic and cooperative effect between Lewis acidic centers (Zn2+) and imidazolium iodide salt on a united catalytic system. These features are present MOF‐5@imidazolium iodide as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient chemical conversion of carbon dioxide with non‐bulky epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mild conditions without utilizing any solvent or cocatalyst.