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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework as a Biomimetic Heterogeneous Catalyst for Transfer Hydrogenation of Imines
Jingwen Chen1, Zhiguo Zhang1, Zongbi Bao1
1Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract:
Mimicking a biocatalytic system has been one of the prevalent strategies for the design of novel and efficient chemical transformations. Among the enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the cooperative interplay of Lewis- and Brønsted-acidic functionalities at active sites represents a common feature in activating reactants. Employing MIL-101(Cr) as a biomimetic platform, we customize a sulfonic group (SO3H) into its hierarchical pores to generate a heterogeneous catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of imines by using Hantzsch ester as the reductant. Both aldimines and ketimines were efficiently converted to their hydrogenated counterparts in a manner similar to metal enzymes. The Cr3+ node and sulfonic acid functionality encapsulated in MOF cages worked cooperatively in promoting this transformation, resulting in an enhanced reactivity as compared to its homogeneous analogue. Furthermore, MIL-101(Cr)-SO3H could be recycled for many times without considerable loss in reactivity.
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