Catalytic Activity of a Zr MOF Containing P^OC^OP-Pd Pincer Complexes

Abstract

A metal–organic framework assembled from POCOP-Pd pincer complex metallolinkers (1-PdBF4, Zr6O4(OH)4(L-PdMeCN)3(BF4)3, L = (2,6-(OPAr2)2C6H3, Ar = p-C6H4CO2–) has been generated via postsynthetic oxidative I–/BF4– ligand exchange with NOBF4. 1-PdBF4 catalyzes a range of organic transformations, including transfer hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates, terminal alkyne hydration, and intramolecular hydroarylation of alkynes. The homogeneous analogue, tBu4POCOP-PdBF4, shows poor catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation and alkyne hydration and decomposes under the catalytic reaction conditions. Solubility limitations and catalyst deactivation pathways observed for the homogeneous pincer complex propound the advantages of using porous solid supports to immobilize organometallic species.