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

Selective confinement of MOF nanocrystals within mesoporous materials via novel 'solid state' crystallization provides more accessible active sites compared to the bulk MOF counterpart, enhancing 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 catalytic activity of the dispersed Zr sites present in the confined MOF and the loading of the mesoporous SiO2 is demonstrated for steroid transformations