DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903966
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Metal–Organic Frameworks
Highly Stable Copper(I)–Thiacalix[4]arene-Based Frameworks for
Highly Efficient Catalysis of Click Reactions in Water
Xue-Xia Wang,[a] Jin Yang,[a] Xianxiu Xu,[b] and Jian-Fang Ma*[a]
Abstract: Environmentally friendly metal–organic frame-
works (MOFs) have gained considerable attention for their
potential use as heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, two CuI-
based MOFs, namely, [Cu4Cl4L]·CH3OH·1.5H2O (1-Cl) and
[Cu4Br4L]·DMF·0.5H2O (1-Br), were assembled with new func-
tionalized thiacalix[4]arenes (L) and halogen anions XÀ (X=
Cl and Br) under solvothermal conditions. Remarkably, cata-
lysts 1-Cl and 1-Br exhibit great stability in aqueous solu-
tions over a wide pH range. Significantly, MOFs 1-Cl and 1-
Br, as recycled heterogeneous catalysts, are capable of
highly efficient catalysis for click reactions in water. The MOF
structures, especially the exposed active CuI sites and 1D
channels, play a key role in the improved catalytic activities.
In particular, their catalytic activities in water are greatly su-
perior to those in organic solvents or even in mixed sol-
vents. This work proposes an attractive route for the design
and self-assembly of environmentally friendly MOFs with
high catalytic activity and reusability in water.
Introduction
functional polymers, surface modification, and supramolecular
chemistry.[17–19] To date, various homogeneous CuI catalysts
have been studied for CuAAC reactions.[20,21] Homogeneous
copper(I) catalysts are effective, but they are difficult to sepa-
rate from the reaction system, which restricts their wide use.[22]
To overcome this limitation, recycled heterogeneous catalysts
have been developed accordingly.[23–26]
Currently, the catalytic syntheses of chemicals and pharma-
ceuticals through green and sustainable technologies have re-
ceived considerable attention.[1,2] To date, continuous efforts
have been made to develop sustainable and effective strat-
egies for organic catalytic reactions.[3–6] In this regard, the use
of organic solvents for chemical conversions is one of the most
important issues in green chemistry, owing to their harmful in-
fluence on the environment and human health.[7–9] Therefore,
the use of less toxic solvents and the development of recycled
heterogeneous catalysts are key strategies for green chemis-
try.[10,11] The replacement of harmful solvents by environmen-
tally friendly water, ionic liquids, or supercritical carbon dioxide
has become one of the most desirable routes for sustainable
chemistry.[12] Water is the most green solvent, in view of envi-
ronmental protection.[13]
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as one type of promising
heterogeneous catalyst, have been widely used in various cata-
lytic reactions.[27–31] In this regard, heterogeneous CuI-based
MOF catalysts for click reactions exhibit some advantages,
such as improved stability, easy separation, and high reusabili-
ty.[32–34] Nevertheless, the reported works directly using CuI
MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts for click’ reactions are usually
conducted in organic or mixed solvents (such as ethanol and
water).[35–37] By contrast, water, as a cheap, nontoxic, safe, and
green solvent, has received far less attention in CuAAC reac-
tions with CuI MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts.[38,39]
Click chemistry, as an important catalytic reaction type, has
been extensively employed in different domains of organic
synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and molecular biology.[14–16] For
example, CuI-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has
received significant attention in many research fields, such as
Generally, organic ligands play an important role in the ra-
tional construction of MOF catalysts featuring tunable struc-
tures.[40,41] Calix[4]arenes, as one type of excellent candidate
ligand, have attracted considerable attention from researchers
due to the ease of modifying their upper and lower
edges.[42–48] Particularly, calix[4]arenes substituted by coordina-
tion hybrid atoms, such as N and S, can improve the stability
of the resulting CuI MOFs as recycled catalysts.[49–53]
[a] Dr. X.-X. Wang, Prof. J. Yang, Prof. J.-F. Ma
Key Lab of Polyoxometalate Science, Department of Chemistry
Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024 (P.R. China)
Based on above consideration, we prepared a flexible thiaca-
lix[4]arene with potential S and N coordination sites (L;
Scheme 1).[54] Through the self-assembly of L and CuCl2·2H2O
(X=Cl and Br), two isostructural CuI MOFs, namely,
[Cu4Cl4L]·CH3OH·1.5H2O (1-Cl) and [Cu4Br4L]·DMF·0.5H2O (1-Br),
are afforded. In 1-Cl and 1-Br, the S and N atoms of the thiaca-
lix[4]arenes and XÀ anions bridge the CuI atoms to give a lay-
ered structure. Remarkably, the CuI MOFs are exceedingly
[b] Dr. X. Xu
College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education
Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014 (P.R. China)
Supporting information and the ORCID identification number(s) for the
author(s) of this article can be found under:
in CIF format, H NMR spectra, GC spectra, tables, thermogravimetric
curves, and powder XRD patterns.
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Chem. Eur. J. 2019, 25, 1 – 9
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