Heterogeneous Fe-MIL-101 catalysts for efficient one-pot four-component coupling synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles

Four-component coupling reactions (4CRs) of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, amines, aldehydes and nitromethane have been carried out for substituted pyrroles using iron-containing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as heterogeneous catalysts. Due to its higher surface area and larger pore size, the Fe-MIL-101 catalyst exhibits higher activity than that of Fe-MIL-88B and Fe-MIL-53. The reusability and heterogeneity of the Fe-MIL-101 catalyst was investigated, and no significant reduction of its catalytic activity was observed over five cycles reaction.