Bromine-Functionalized Lanthanide MOF with Acid-Base Dual Active Sites: Catalysis for CO2 Cycloaddition and
Han Yang1, Huan Dai1, Shimin Fan2
1School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
Inorganic Chemistry
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel bromine-functionalized lanthanide metal-organic framework (MOF) for efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion. This bifunctional catalyst shows high yields in key CO2 fixation reactions, offering a sustainable resource utilization pathway.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are key in heterogeneous catalysis for CO2 conversion.
- Efficient CO2 utilization is crucial for sustainable development and resource management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a bromine-functionalized lanthanide MOF (Eu-DBT) for CO2 fixation.
- To evaluate the catalytic performance of Eu-DBT in cycloaddition and N-formylation reactions.
- To investigate the mechanism behind the catalyst's enhanced activity.
Main Methods:
- Solvothermal synthesis of Eu-DBT using Eu3+ and 2,5-dibromoterephthalic acid.
- Testing catalytic activity in CO2 cycloaddition with propylene oxide.
- Assessing catalytic performance in CO2 mediated N-formylation of N-methylaniline.
- Conducting mechanistic studies to understand the catalytic sites.
Main Results:
- Eu-DBT achieved 98.4% yield and 99.5% selectivity in CO2 cycloaddition.
- The catalyst demonstrated 99.8% conversion and 99.4% yield in N-formylation.
- Eu-DBT exhibited broad substrate scope, recyclability over five cycles, and synergistic acid-base catalysis.
Conclusions:
- Ligand halogenation is an effective strategy for designing multifunctional lanthanide MOFs.
- Bromine-functionalized lanthanide MOFs show promise as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable CO2 utilization.
- The synergistic effect of dual acid-base sites in Eu-DBT lowers reaction energy barriers.
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