A Ni3O-cluster based porous MOF for catalytic conversion of CO2 to cyclic carbonates

A novel Ni3O-based MOF, {[Ni3HL(μ3-OH)(H2O)2]∙3(H2O)∙DMA}n (1), was constructed based on an organosilicon hexacarboxylic acid linker of 5,5′,5''-(methylsilanetriyl)triisophthalic acid (H6L). In this structure, the deprotonated carboxylate groups assemble with trinuclear metal cluster nodes to give a 6-connected uninodal net. It possesses open channels and rich metal sites, and displays CO2 adsorption behavior. Further investigations indicate that the compound is catalytically effective for the cyclic carbonates by cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. Besides, the catalyst could be reused 5 times with no significant loss of catalytic activity and without structural deterioration.