Sonochemical synthesis of rho-ZMOF catalyst for an enhanced CO2 cycloaddition reaction

A zeolite-like metal-organic framework with a rho topology was synthesized via a sonochemical route (rho-ZMOF(S)), and its physicochemical properties were compared with the one prepared via a conventional solvothermal route (rho-ZMOF(C)). The physicochemical properties of the samples were examined using various instrumentation. High-quality rho-ZMOF(S) was obtained only after 2 h with uniform particles of ca. 600 nm in size, whereas rho-ZMOF(C) produced after 72 h was of ca. 60 mu m in size. According to the temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, rho-ZMOF(S) showed ca. 20% higher acid amount than rho-ZMOF(C). The beneficial effect of the higher acidity with the smaller particles in rho-ZMOF(S) was demonstrated by a significant enhancement in catalytic activity for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction to epichlorohydrin. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.