A Porous Metal-Organic Framework Assembled by [Cu30] Nanocages: Serving as Recyclable Catalysts for CO2 Fixation with Aziridines

Based on a novel ligand 5-(2,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl) pyridin-4-yl) isophthalic acid (H4BCP) with large skeletons, a unique porous framework {[Cu-2(BCP) (H2O)(2)]center dot 3DMF}(n) (1) assembled by nano-sized and censer-like [Cu-30] cages is successfully obtained and structurally characterized. In 1, the large 1D channel in frameworks and window size in the nanocages can enrich methylene blue and capture CO2, exhibiting the promising applications in environmental protection. More importantly, the explorations on the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 and aziridines with various substituents suggest that 1 can serve as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for CO2 conversion with aziridines in a solvent-free system, which can be reused at least ten times without any obvious loss in catalytic activity. This is the first example of metalorganic framework (MOF)-based catalysts in converting CO2 into high-value oxazolidinones through activating aziridines and CO2, further extending the applications of MOFs materials in catalysis.