Keggin-type polyoxometalates molecularly loaded in Zr-ferrocene metal organic framework nanosheets for solar-driven CO2 cycloaddition

Although Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) have shown nice catalytic efficiency for CO2 cycloaddition reaction, they suppressed by their low recycling ability and energy costing of direct heating. Decorated POMs into solid porous support with photothermal property is an alternative but promising way for solar-driven reaction. Herein, phosphomolybdate molecularly decorated ferrocene-based Zr-Fc (PMo12@Zr-Fc) metal organic frameworks (MOFs) nanosheet, which has outstanding photothermal conversion ability, are synthesized and used to catalyze cycloaddition reaction with styrene oxide and CO2 under simulated sunlight. At light intensity of 0.4 W/cm2, the temperature of reactor with PMo12@Zr-Fc MOFs rapidly rises and up to 80 ℃, and 88.05 % yield of product is achieved. This PMo12@Zr-Fc catalyst also demonstrates nice recycling stability. The solar-driven cycloaddition process may exploit a new avenue for reusing CO2.