Tetragonal versus Hexagonal: Structure-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Co/Zn Bimetallic Metal–Organic Frameworks

Tetragonal and hexagonal phases of monometallic Zn and bimetallic Co/Zn metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with secondary building units (SBUs) containing a M3O (M = metal) cluster, were synthesized from identical constituents using a benzenetricarboxylate (BTC3–) linker that forms decorated 3,6- and 3,5-connected networks, respectively. There exist subtle differences between the SBUs; one of the metal atoms in the M3O cluster in the tetragonal phase has one dissociable DMF solvent molecule while that in the hexagonal phase has three. Connectivities between the SBUs form one-dimensional channels in both MOFs. These MOFs catalyze the chemoselective addition of amines to epoxides, giving exclusively β-hydroxyamine under heterogeneous conditions. A ring-opening reaction of a symmetrical epoxide showed that the hexagonal phase diastereoselectively yields trans-alcohol, exhibiting an exquisite model for structure-dependent activity.