Copper‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework for Selective CO ₂ Adsoprtion and Catalysis Fixation of CO ₂ into Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract

Abstract Given the capture and utilization of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission, the CO 2 separation and catalysis fixation of CO 2 and epoxides have been of intense interest. In this respect, a microporous copper‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF) Cu 2 (ABTC) (ABTC=3,3’,5,5’‐azobenzenetetra‐carboxylic acid) was synthesized. The Cu–MOF endowed with open Cu sites, accessible pore cages and hexagonal channel (9.6 & 11 Å) exhibits permanent porosity (BET surface area of 2200 m 2 g −1 ), good low‐pressure CO 2 uptake (93 cm 3 g −1 , at 298 K), and moderate CO 2 selectivity over N 2 and CH 4 . In light of catalysis fixation of CO 2 and epoxides, Cu 2 (ABTC) exhibited outstanding performance with high conversion of styrene oxide (96 %), and yield towards the formation of styrene carbonate (90 %) under mild conditions (1 atm of CO 2 , 60 °C, 8 h). Notably, the catalytic activity of Cu 2 (ABTC) outperformed that of other Cu‐MOFs, and the recovered Cu 2 (ABTC) can be reused up to six times without considerable reduction in catalytic activity.