Boosting the Catalytic Performance of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Steroid Transformations by Confinement within a Mesoporous Scaffold

Abstract

Solid-state crystallization achieves selective confinement of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals within mesoporous materials, thereby rendering active sites more accessible compared to the bulk-MOF and enhancing the chemical and mechanical stability of MOF nanocrystals. (Zr)UiO-66(NH₂ )/SiO₂ hybrid materials were tested as efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of steroid derivatives, outperforming the bulk (Zr)UiO-66(NH₂ ) MOF. A clear correlation between the catalytic activity of the dispersed Zr sites present in the confined MOF, and the loading of the mesoporous SiO₂ , is demonstrated for steroid transformations.