Superparamagnetic Core-Shell Metal-Organic Framework Fe3O4/Cu3(btc)2 Microspheres and Their Catalytic Activity in the Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols and Olefins.

Core-shell structured Fe3O4/Cu3(btc)2 (btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) microspheres have been successfully synthesized by coating the metal-organic frameworks on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) functionalized Fe3O4 microspheres by the layer-by-layer assembly method. The MOF composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and the epoxidation of olefins due to the porosity of MOFs and large amount of readily accessible Cu2+. Furthermore, the catalyst could be easily segregated from the catalytic system by using an external magnetic field due to its magnetic properties. The heterogeneous catalyst displayed good reusability and broad reagent scope in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and epoxidation of olefins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]