Palladated composite of Cu-BDC MOF and perlite as an efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

• A novel composite of perlite and MOF is prepared and palladated. • The composite was used as a catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroarenes. • The catalyst promoted the hydrogenation reaction efficiently under mild reaction condition. • The composite exhibited high recyclability and low Pd leaching. A novel composite of metal-organic framework and perlite is prepared through hydrothermal treatment of terephthalic acid and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 ·3H 2 O in the presence of perlite. The resulting composite was then utilized as a support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles. The obtained compound was characterized via XRD, TGA, ICP, FTIR, TEM, FE-SEM/EDS and elemental mapping analysis and applied as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes under mild reaction condition. The results approved that the catalyst could efficiently promote hydrogenation of various nitroarenes with different electronic densities and steric properties. Moreover, the catalyst showed high selectivity towards hydrogenation of nitro groups. Hot filtration test affirmed heterogeneous nature of catalysis. Furthermore, the present catalytic composite was highly recyclable with low Pd leaching. A comparative study also approved superior activity of the composite compared to palladated perlite and metal-organic framework.