[Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]∞: a novel metal organic framework (MOF) as heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of olefins

A new extended metal-organic framework [Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]infinity. (1) (H4btec= 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesized. Violet crystals are formed in a monoclinic system with a space group C2/c; a = 10.1810(18) A, b = 14.4360(18) A, c = 12.894(3) A, beta = 112.94(3) degrees. In the title compound 1 each Cu(II) centre has a distorted square planar environment, completed by two N atoms from one bipy ligand and two O atoms belonging to two dihydrogen benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate anions (H2btec2-). The {Cu(bipy)}2+ moieties are bridged by H2btec2- anions to form an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer with a zig-zag chain structure along the c axis. A double-chain structure is formed by hydrogen bonds between adjacent zig-zag chains. There are also pi-pi stacking interactions between the bipy ligands, with an average distance of 3.62 A resulting in a two-dimensional network structure. Compound 1 was tested as a catalyst for the oxidation of cyclohexene and styrene, with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The catalytic activity (24 h and 75 degrees C) found for [Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]infinity shows a high value for the conversion of cyclohexene (64.5%), and a lower one for styrene (23.7%). High turnover frequency (TOF) values for the epoxide products were observed, indicating that the catalyst synthesized in this work, not only has a high activity and selectivity for epoxidation reactions but is also very efficient.