Design and Synthesis of an Au@MIL‐53(NH₂) Catalyst for a One‐Pot Aerobic Oxidation/Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction

Abstract

Abstract Highly dispersed gold nanoparticles were deposited on an amino‐functionalized Al‐based MIL‐53 metal–organic framework by a facile adsorption/reduction strategy. The aromatic amino groups were utilized for adsorption and stabilization of AuCl 4 – and as basic catalytic sites in the Knoevenagel reaction. The bifunctional Au@MIL‐53(NH 2 ) catalyst was utilized to develop an efficient one‐pot aerobic oxidation of alcohols/Knoevenagel condensation reaction that takes advantage of Au 0 and NH 2 incorporation at the same time. The roles of Au and NH 2 groups were systematically investigated to elucidate their functionality during the one‐pot reaction. In addition, the Au@MIL‐53(NH 2 ) catalyst can be easily recycled up to five times without leaching of the active centres or significant loss of catalytic activity.