Boosting catalytic performance of MOFs for steroid transformations by confinement within mesoporous scaffolds

Cirujano, F., Luz, I., Van Goethem, C., Soukri, M., Vankelecom, I., Lail, M., & De Vos, D. (2017). Boosting catalytic performance of MOFs for steroid transformations by confinement within mesoporous scaffolds. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 56(43), 13302-13306. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201706721, 10.1002/anie.201706721

Solid-state crystallization achieves selective confinement of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals within mesoporous materials, thereby rendering active sites more accessible compared to the bulk-MOF and enhancing the chemical and mechanical stability of MOF nanocrystals. (Zr)UiO-66(NH2)/SiO2 hybrid materials were tested as efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of steroid derivatives, outperforming the bulk (Zr)UiO-66(NH2) MOF. A clear correlation between the catalytic activity of the dispersed Zr sites present in the confined MOF, and the loading of the mesoporous SiO2, is demonstrated for steroid transformations.