Fabrication of efficient Zn-MOF/COF catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction

In this study, a hybrid material was successfully fabricated through the hybridization of zinc-based metal–organic framework (Zn-MOF) and covalent organic framework (COF) based on melamine and terephthaldehyde (Zn-MOF/COF) and characterized by FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and STA analysis. Then, the resultant hybrid was employed as an amazing and cost-effective catalyst in the condensation of a variety of aldehydes with malononitrile under solvent-free conditions at 25 °C in a short time (5–60 min) to offer benzylidenemalononitrile derivatives in high yields (82–100%). The catalyst could be reused without a noteworthy drop in catalytic activity at least eight times. The use of Zn-MOF/COF catalyst outcomes under mild reaction conditions in very short reaction time, exceptional catalytic activity, high recyclability and an easy work-up process for the Knoevenagel condensation.