Zr-Based MOF-808 as Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley Reduction Catalyst for Challenging Carbonyl Compounds

• Published in: Catalysts Vol. 6; no. 7; p. 104
• Main Authors: Eva Plessers, Guangxia Fu, Collin Yong Xiang Tan, Dirk E. De Vos, Maarten B. J. Roeffaers
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01-07-2016
• Subjects: chemoselective catalytic reduction; heterogeneous Lewis acid; Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley; metal-organic framework; MOF-808; unsaturated aldehyde and ketone
• ISSN: 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal6070104

In the fine chemical industry, transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds is an important route to selectively form the corresponding allyl alcohol. The Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction (MPV) is catalyzed by a Lewis acid catalyst and easily oxidizable alcohols serve as hydrogen donor. We successfully used the Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) MOF-808-P as MPV-catalyst with isopropyl alcohol as solvent and hydride donor. After only 2 h, 99% yield of cinnamyl alcohol was obtained. The highly active MOF-808-P is also a good catalyst for the selective reduction of more challenging substrates such as R-carvone and β-ionone. Two strategies were successfully used to shift the equilibrium towards the desired allylic alcohol products: (1) evaporation of formed acetone and (2) the use of the more strongly reducing 1-indanol. Carveol yield was increased to >70%. These results highlight the great potential of this recently discovered Zr-MOF as a chemically and thermally stable catalyst.