Cobalt-Based Quasi-Metal–Organic Framework as a Tandem Catalyst for Room-Temperature Open-Air One-Pot Synthesis of Imines

The catalytic activity of MOFs derives in a large extent from defects. To generate these defects, cobalt-based metal–organic framework TMU-10, [Co6(oba)5(OH)2(H2O)2(DMF)4]n·2DMF has been subjected the present study to controlled thermal treatment under air at different temperatures ranging 100 700 °C. This produces removal ligands, generation structural and additional porosity an that depends on conditions treatment. resulting defective materials, denoted according literature as quasi-MOFs, were subsequently employed heterogeneous tandem catalysts one-pot synthesis N-benzylideneaniline aniline benzyl alcohol open terminal oxidant 60 °C solvent-, base-, dehydrating agent-free conditions. quasi-TMU-10 obtained 300 (QT-300) can efficiently promote imine within 2 h, forming water only byproduct. Unsaturated cobalt sites presence micro- mesopores QT-300 are responsible for this excellent performance catalysts. influence catalyst amount, reactant ratio, reaction temperature was investigated, well stability recyclability catalyst. formation promoted by follows aerobic oxidation subsequent anaerobic condensation aldehyde intermediate with aniline.