Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Biomass-Derived Carbonyls over Hafnium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

A series of highly crystalline, porous, hafnium-based metal-organic frameworks (Hf-MOFs) have been shown to catalyze the transfer hydrogenation reaction of levulinic ester to produce γ-valerolactone by using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor. The results are compared with their zirconium-based counterparts. The role of the metal center in Hf-MOFs has been identified and reaction parameters optimized. NMR studies using isotopically labeled isopropanol provide evidence that the transfer hydrogenation occurs through a direct intermolecular hydrogen transfer route. The catalyst, Hf-MOF-808, can be recycled several times with only a minor decrease in catalytic activity. The generality of the procedure has been demonstrated by accomplishing the transformation with aldehydes, ketones, and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The combination of Hf-MOF-808 with the Brønsted-acidic Al-Beta zeolite gives the four-step one-pot transformation of furfural to γ-valerolactone in good yield of 75 %.