Zr‐Based MOFs Catalyzed Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzaldehydes: the Harmony of Pore Size and Acidity

Noble metal free catalysts are urgently needed for catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH). Zr‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) show excellent catalytic activity towards the transformation of aldehydes to alcohols via the CTH route. Among the tested Zr‐MOFs with different pore size and acidic sites, MOF‐808 shows the best catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability for synthesizing nitrobenzyl alcohols due to the harmony of pore size and acidity, which completes the reaction in a short period under mild conditions.