Stable Ni(II)-based metal-organic framework nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic C-N coupling reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Crystallography

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for catalysis.
• Nickel(II) based MOFs are actively researched for various chemical transformations.
• Controlling MOF morphology can significantly impact catalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel 2D Ni(II) metal-organic framework (JYU-1).
• To investigate the catalytic activity of JYU-1 in C-N coupling reactions.
• To explore the effect of nanoparticle morphology on catalytic efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Single crystal X-ray crystallography for structure determination.
• Synthesis of a 2D Ni(II) MOF (JYU-1).
• Exfoliation of JYU-1 to form nanoparticles (JYU-1-NP).
• Evaluation of catalytic activity in C-N coupling under visible light.

Main Results:

• A novel 2D Ni(II) MOF, JYU-1, with a staggered ABAB arrangement was successfully synthesized.
• JYU-1 exhibits catalytic activity for C-N coupling reactions.
• Exfoliation to JYU-1-NP nanoparticles enhanced catalytic activity due to increased Ni(II) exposure and reduced charge-transfer resistance.

Conclusions:

• JYU-1 represents a new 2D Ni(II) MOF with potential in catalysis.
• The nanoparticle morphology (JYU-1-NP) significantly boosts catalytic performance in C-N coupling.
• This work highlights morphology control as a key strategy for optimizing MOF catalysts for benzoamine synthesis.