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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
09:24
Synthesis, Hemoglobin Encapsulation and Biorthogonal PEGylation in Hierarchically Porous UiO-66 Nanoparticles for Oxygen Delivery Applications
Published on: May 8, 2026
A Bifunctional UiO-66 Platform Enabled by Schiff-Base Engineering for CO2 Conversion and Epoxide-Anhydride
Chen-Yen Tsai1, Shih-Yun Chou2
1Department of Chemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 12, 2026
Summary
New bifunctional metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts efficiently convert epoxides using anhydrides and CO2 into valuable products. These durable MOF catalysts offer a sustainable approach to green polymerization and carbon capture.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable porosity and active sites for catalysis.
- Schiff-base functionalized UiO-66 MOFs are explored for bifunctional catalytic applications.
- Sustainable chemical transformations, including epoxide ring-opening and CO2 utilization, are critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and investigate novel bifunctional UiO-66-based MOF catalysts.
- To achieve sustainable epoxide ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) with anhydrides.
- To enable efficient coupling of epoxides with CO2 for cyclic carbonate synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of UiO-66 MOFs functionalized with Schiff-base ligands.
- Coordination of divalent metal ions (Zn, Cu, Ni) within the MOF structure.
- Catalytic testing for ROCOP and CO2 coupling reactions under mild conditions.
Main Results:
- High catalytic activity and selectivity for polyesters (ROCOP) and cyclic carbonates (CO2 coupling).
- Successful operation under mild reaction conditions (80°C for CO2 coupling, 110°C for ROCOP).
- Demonstrated robust recyclability and structural stability of the MOF catalysts over multiple cycles.
Conclusions:
- UiO-66-based MOFs functionalized with Schiff-base ligands are effective bifunctional catalysts.
- The integrated Lewis acidic metal centers and porosity enhance catalytic performance.
- This work presents a versatile and durable MOF platform for sustainable polymerization and CO2 valorization.
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