Metal-Organic Framework Cu2(OBA)2(BPY) as efficient catalyst for C–O bond formation via oxidative cross-coupling reaction of benzaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane

Abstract

A metal-organic framework Cu₂(OBA)₂(BPY) was synthesized, and was used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidative cross-coupling reaction of benzaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane to form 1,4-dioxan-2-yl benzoate as major product. The coupling reaction could proceed readily, with more than 80 % reaction yield being achieved after 24 h at 80 ^oC in the presence of 2 mol% Cu₂(OBA)₂(BPY) catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water as an oxidant. The Cu₂(OBA)₂(BPY) was reutilized numerous times for the reaction without a noteworthy decline in catalytic efficiency. This Cu-MOF exhibited higher activity than other MOFs and traditional homogeneous catalysts in the oxidative coupling reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this transformation using heterogeneous catalyst was not previously mentioned in the literature.