A novel copper framework with amino tridentate N‐donor ligand as heterogeneous catalyst for ring opening of epoxides.

A novel metal–organic framework (MOF) [Cu3L(2,6‐NDC)2]·0.5DMF (MOF‐Cu‐1) was synthesized by solvothermal reaction of copper nitrate trihydrate with 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6‐H2NDC) and amino tridentate N‐donor containing ligand of N1‐(4‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzyl)‐N1‐(2‐aminoethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L). MOF‐Cu‐1 is a three‐dimensional (3D) framework with one‐dimensional (1D) channels. Because of the high stability of the framework and the existence of amino functional groups, MOF‐Cu‐1 presents excellent heterogeneous catalytic activity for ring‐opening reaction of epoxides by amines and reusability for four cycles with negligible loss of efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]