Zr-Based MOF-808 as Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley Reduction Catalyst for Challenging Carbonyl Compounds

In the fine chemical industry, transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds is an important route to selectively form the corresponding allyl alcohol. The Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction (MPV) is catalyzed by a Lewis acid catalyst and easily oxidizable alcohols serve as hydrogen donor. We successfully used the Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) MOF-808-P as MPV-catalyst with isopropyl alcohol as solvent and hydride donor. After only 2 h, 99% yield of cinnamyl alcohol was obtained. The highly active MOF-808-P is also a good catalyst for the selective reduction of more challenging substrates such as R-carvone and β-ionone. Two strategies were successfully used to shift the equilibrium towards the desired allylic alcohol products: (1) evaporation of formed acetone and (2) the use of the more strongly reducing 1-indanol. Carveol yield was increased to >70%. These results highlight the great potential of this recently discovered Zr-MOF as a chemically and thermally stable catalyst.