2D MOF with multifunctionalized catalytic sites for one-pot tandem synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO2

One-pot tandem synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO2 is becoming one of the most potential strategies to fix CO2 and yield high value chemicals. However, this reaction route is in need of high performing catalysts with multifunctionalized catalytic sites in single material which is still a big challenge in one-pot community. In this term, we combined dimension reduction and surface modification strategies to fabricate a MOF/metal complex composite, that is, Zr-BTB/PA-Co. In this composite, the increased Lewis base sites is capable of boosting the adsorption and activation of CO2, which further acted as nucleophilic groups to activate epoxides, while the 2D matrix offered accessible intrinsic Lewis acid sites. These advantages synergistically led to superior catalytic performance of Zr-BTB/PA-Co for catalyzing one-pot reaction of olefins and CO2 under mild conditions (80 degrees C, 1 bar, 12 h and co-catalyst/solvent free), and even impressive catalytic activity when using CO2 directly from air.