Konstantin A. Kovalenko

Hybrid Polyoxotungstate/MIL-101 Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalysis of H2O2-Based Alkene Epoxidation

Polyoxotungstates [PW(4)O(24)](3-) (PW(4)) and [PW(12)O(40)](3-) (PW(12)) have been inserted into nanocages of the metal organic framework MIL-101. The hybrid materials PW(x)/MIL-101 (x = 4 or 12) containing 5-14 wt % of polyoxotungstate have been obtained and characterized by elemental analysis, N(2) adsorption, FT-IR, Raman, and (31)P NMR MAS spectroscopic techniques. Their catalytic performance was assessed in the selective oxidation of alkenes with aqueous hydrogen peroxide under mild reaction conditions ([H(2)O(2)] = 0.1-0.2 M, 50 degrees C, MeCN). PW(x)/MIL-101 enclosing 5 wt % of polyoxotungstate demonstrated fairly good catalytic activities in the epoxidation of various alkenes (3-carene, limonene, alpha-pinene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene, 1-octene), the turnover frequencies (TOF) and alkene conversions were close to the corresponding parameters achieved with homogeneous PW(x). For the oxidation of substrates with aromatic groups (styrene, cis- and trans-stilbenes), a higher level of olefin conversion was attained using PW(12)/MIL-101. Moreover, confinement of PW(12) within MIL-101 nanocages allowed us to reach higher epoxide selectivities at higher alkene conversions. The hybrid PW(x)/MIL-101 materials were stable to leaching, behaved as true heterogeneous catalysts, were easily recovered by filtration, and reused several times with the maintenance of the catalytic performance.

Cyclohexane selective oxidation over metal–organic frameworks of MIL-101 family: superior catalytic activity and selectivity

Mesoporous metal-organic frameworks Cr- and Fe-MIL-101 are highly efficient, true heterogeneous and recyclable catalysts for solvent-free selective oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen and/or tert-butyl hydroperoxide under mild conditions.

Metal–organic frameworks of the MIL-101 family as heterogeneous single-site catalysts

In this short review paper, we survey our recent findings in the catalytic applications of mesoporous metal–organic frameworks of the MIL-101 family (Fe- and Cr-MIL-101) and demonstrate their potential in two types of liquid-phase processes: (i) selective oxidation of hydrocarbons with green oxidants—O2 and tert-butyl hydroperoxide—and (ii) coupling reaction of organic oxides with CO2. A comparison with conventional single-site catalysts is made with special attention to issues of the catalysts resistance to metal leaching and the nature of catalysis.

High Proton Conductivity and Spectroscopic Investigations of Metal–Organic Framework Materials Impregnated by Strong Acids

Strong toluenesulfonic and triflic acids were incorporated into a MIL-101 chromium(III) terephthalate coordination framework, producing hybrid proton-conducting solid electrolytes. These acid@MIL hybrid materials possess stable crystalline structures that do not deteriorate during multiple measurements or prolonged heating. Particularly, the triflic-containing compound demonstrates the highest 0.08 S cm(-1) proton conductivity at 15% relative humidity and a temperature of 60 °C, exceeding any of todays commercial materials for proton-exchange membranes. The structure of the proton-conducting media, as well as the long-range proton-transfer mechanics, was unveiled, in a certain respect, by Fourier transform infrared and (1)H NMR spectroscopy investigations. The acidic media presumably constitutes large separated droplets, coexisting in the MIL nanocages. One component of proton transfer appears to be related to the facile relay (Grotthuss) mechanism through extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions within such droplets. The second component occurs during continuous reorganization of the droplets, thus ensuring long-range proton transfer along the porous structure of the material.

Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides or olefins and CO2 catalyzed by metal-organic frameworks and quaternary ammonium salts

Abstract Catalytic properties of the metal-organic framework Cr-MIL-101 in solvent-free cycloaddition of CO 2 to epoxides to produce cyclic carbonates using tetrabutylammonium bromide as co-catalyst have been explored under mild reaction conditions (8 bar CO 2 , 25 0 C). Styrene and propylene carbonates were formed with high yields (95% and 82%, respectively). Catalytic performance of Cr-MIL-101 was compared with other MOFs: Fe-MIL-101, Zn-MOF-5 and HKUST-1. The catalytic properties of different quaternary ammonium bromides, Cr-MIL-101 as well as PW 12 /Cr-MIL-101 composite material have been assessed in oxidative carboxylation of styrene in the presence of both tert -butyl hydroperoxide and H 2 O 2 as oxidants at 8–100 bar CO 2 and 25–80 0 C with selectivity to styrene carbonate up to 44% at 57% substrate conversion.

Nanosized mesoporous metal–organic framework MIL-101 as a nanocarrier for photoactive hexamolybdenum cluster compounds

Inclusion compounds of photoluminescent hexamolybdenum cluster complexes in the chromium terephthalate metal-organic framework, MIL-101 (MIL, Matérial Institut Lavoisier) were successfully synthesized in two different ways and characterized by means of powder X-Ray diffraction, chemical analysis and nitrogen sorption. Some important functional properties of hexamolybdenum cluster complexes for biological and medical applications, in particular singlet oxygen generation ability, luminescence properties, cellular uptake behavior and cytotoxicity were studied. It was revealed that the inclusion compounds possessed significant singlet oxygen generation activity. The materials obtained showed a low cytotoxicity, thus allowing them to be used in living cells. Confocal microscopy of human larynx carcinoma (Hep-2) cells incubated with the inclusion compounds showed that MIL-101 performed as a nanocarrier adhering to the external cell membrane surface and releasing the cluster complexes which that penetrated into the cells. Moreover, photoinduced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Hep-2 cells incubated with inclusion compounds was demonstrated. The cluster supported on MIL-101 was shown to possess in vivo phototoxicity.

Influence of MIL-101 Doping by Ionic Clusters on Hydrogen Storage Performance up to 1900 Bar

Ultra-high-pressure hydrogen-storage performance (up to 1900 bar) was investigated for mesoporous chromium terephthalate MIL-101 and its inclusion compounds containing ionic clusters [Re(4)S(4)F(12)](4-) and [SiW(11)O(39)](7-) within the porous framework. The maximum specific hydrogen uptake values (total) for MIL-101 are 12.3 (at 81) and 7.2 wt. % (at 293 K). Such unique measurement conditions allowed us to identify the density of the absorbed hydrogen directly from the excess sorption isotherm curves. The corresponding density values were found to be almost comparable at low temperature, but significantly different at ambient temperature, which indicated an increase of more than double in the number of hydrogen binding sites in the case of the inclusion compounds with rhenium clusters.

Allylic oxdation of alkenes with molecular oxygen catalyzed by porous coordination polymers Fe-MIL-101 and Cr-MIL-101

The catalytic performances of Cr-MIL-101 and Fe-MIL-101 porous coordination polymers have been investigated in the allylic oxidation of alkenes, including natural terpenes, with molecular oxygen (1 atm) under mild solvent-free conditions. Both catalysts remain stable under optimal conditions (40°C for Fe-MIL-101 and 60°C for Cr-MIL-101) and can be recycled, at least, four times without loss of the catalytic properties. Fe-MIL-101 favours the formation of unsaturated alcohols, while Cr-MIL-101 mediates the formation of unsaturated ketones. The oxidation process involves the formation of alkene hydroperoxide via conventional radical chain process and its further transformations over the MIL-101 catalysts. The mechanism of the hydroperoxide transformation strongly depends on the metal nature.

PIM-1/MIL-101 hybrid composite membrane material: Transport properties and free volume

A hybrid composite membrane material based on the PIM-1 polymer of intrinsic microporosity and MIL-101 nanoparticles of mesoporous chromium terephthalate has been prepared and tested. Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy has revealed the presence of interaction between the polymer matrix and the nanoparticles introduced into it. The addition of MIL-101 nanoparticles leads to an increase in the permeability and diffusion coefficients for gases (He, O2, N2, CO2) compared to the original polymer. Using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), it has been shown that these changes result from an increase in the free volume in the polymer composite material.

Rhenium octahedral clusters in mesoporous MIL-101: luminescence and sorption properties

Rhenium octahedral cluster complexes were immobilized into the cages mesoporous chromium(III) terephthalate MIL-101 in two ways: by the inclusion of anionic clusters as guests and by the coordination of cluster complexes through ditopic organic ligands (4,4′-bipyridyl) to metal atoms of the framework. The influence of the cluster complex—metal-organic matrix type of bonding on luminescence and sorption properties was studied. It was shown that the intensity of luminescence of the hybrid compound in which the cluster complexes are coordinated through ditopic organic ligands is considerably lower than that of the inclusion compound of cluster complexes in the coordination polymer cages.