Imparting magnetic functionality to iron-based MIL-101 via facile Fe3O4 nanoparticle encapsulation: an efficient and recoverable catalyst for aerobic oxidation

The development of sustainable, easily synthesizable and highly efficient catalysts is a fundamental goal of catalysis science. In this work, highly superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were prepared through a modified co-precipitation method and embedded into a Fe-MIL-101 metal-organic-framework through a facile encapsulation strategy. The catalytic activity of Fe3O4/Fe-MIL-101 was investigated in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and epoxidation of olefines. High yields (up to quantitative conversion) were observed for both reactions under mild conditions. Furthermore, the magnetic NP/MOF catalysts could be easily recovered and recycled; even after usage in eight consecutive reaction batches, no significant loss of catalytic efficiency was observed. This class of catalysts is promising for green and practical large-scale industrial applications.