Aerobic homocoupling of arylboronic acids catalysed by copper terephthalate metal–organic frameworks

Copper terephthalate MOF is utilised as an environmentally benign, efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst to effect the aerobic homocoupling of arylboronic acids yielding the corresponding symmetrical biphenyls under mild reaction conditions. This method tolerates various substituents present in arylboronic acids such as halogens, cyano and nitro groups. The catalytic performance has been compared with that of other copper based MOFs namely MOF-101, [Cu(pdc)2]NH2Me2, [Cu2(ndc)2ted]n and [Cu(H2L)]n as well as with other copper salt catalysts. Sheldon test confirmed the heterogeneity of the catalyst, which can be reused under optimized conditions with only a minor loss in its activity. A mechanism for the homocoupling reaction is also proposed. The simplicity of catalyst preparation, its stability, substrate selectivity, easy recovery and regeneration designate possible utilization of this catalytic system in a multitude of catalytic reactions and industrial processes.