The Impact of Functionality and Porous System of Nanostructured Carriers Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks of UiO-66-Type on Catalytic Performance of Embedded Au Nanoparticles in Hydroamination Reaction

New methods for the preparation of metal-organic frameworks UiO-66 and NH2-UiO-66 with a hierarchical porous structure were developed using the MW-assisted technique under atmospheric pressure. The synthesized nanostructured meso-UiO-66 and meso-NH2-UiO-66 matrices were utilized as Au nanoparticle carriers. The resulting Au@meso-UiO-66 and Au@NH2-UiO-66 nanohybrids were studied in the reaction of phenylacetylene hydroamination with aniline into imine ([phenyl-(1-phenylethylydene)amine]) for the first time. Their catalytic behavior is significantly determined by a combination of factors, such as a small crystal size, micro-mesoporous structure, and functionality of the UiO-66 and NH2-UiO-66 carriers, as well as a high dispersion of embedded gold nanoparticles. The Au@meso-UiO-66 and Au@NH2-UiO-66 nanocatalysts demonstrate high activities (TOF), with conversion and selectivity values over 90. This excellent catalytic performance is comparable or even better than that demonstrated by heterogeneous systems based on conventional inorganic and inorganic supports known from the literature.