Facile synthesis of Cu3(BTC)2/cellulose acetate mixed matrix membranes and their catalytic applications in continuous flow process.

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated by a combination of Cu3(BTC)2 MOF and polymer cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate in the MMMs served as the matrix and the Cu3(BTC)2 MOF as the filler. The as-synthesized MMMs were utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst for aldehyde acetalization. The characterization techniques indicated that the Cu3(BTC)2 crystals were uniformly dispersed in the MMMs. The BET surface area of the Cu3(BTC)2-based MMM was measured to be 459 m2 g−1 at 60 wt% Cu3(BTC)2 loading. Furthermore, the MMMs served as an excellent catalyst under our continuous flow catalytic reaction conditions. The optimal catalytic result of benzaldehyde yield reached 94% with 60 wt% Cu3(BTC)2 loading of the MMMs at room temperature and the benzaldehyde diethyl acetal reached 0.59 mmol min−1 gCu-BTC−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]