Aromatic N-Arylations Catalyzed by Copper-Anchored Porous Zinc-Based Metal-Organic Framework under Heterogeneous Conditions

A highly porous Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF) IRMOF-3 was covalently decorated with pyridine-2-aldehyde. The free amine group of IRMOF-3 upon condensation with pyridine-2-aldehyde affords a bidentate Schiff-base moiety in the porous matrix. The Schiff base moieties are availed to anchor copper(II) ions to display the catalyst's utility towards catalytic reactions. The catalyst was characterized by UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy, powder XRD spectrometry, SEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and nitrogen sorption measurements. The catalyst exhibits excellent activity in catalyzing the N-arylation reaction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with aryl bromides in DMSO medium, under mild condition (90 degrees C) in the presence of Cs2CO3. The porous catalyst demonstrates size selectivity towards substrate as a result of the presence of active sites inside the pores of the MOF. The anchored complex seems to be not leached or decomposed during the catalytic reactions up to five successive catalytic cycles, demonstrating practical advantages over homogeneous catalysis.