Brønsted Basicity in Metal–Organic Framework-808 and Its Application in Base-Free Catalysis

The Brønsted basicity in activated metal–organic framework-808 (hereinafter denoted as MOF-808a) was confirmed by the analyses of CO2-TPD-MS, in situ DRIFTS, and acid–base titration. MOF-808a exhibited efficient recyclable catalytic activities for Heck coupling and oxidation of alcohol as a one-pot tandem reaction in base-free catalysis. It is the first evidence of the Brønsted basicity in zirconium metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) and gave rise to a new opportunity to extend the catalytic application of Zr-MOFs.