A [Cu2I2] cluster-based lanthanide metal–organic framework (MOF) catalyst for the highly efficient conversion of CO2 with propargylic alcohols and aziridines.

A new metal–organic framework (MOF) with the formula [Eu 2 Cu 2 I 2 (IN) 6 (DMF) 4 ]·4DMF (1) (HIN = isonicotinic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) based on lanthanide ions and copper iodide clusters (Cu 2 I 2) have been successfully constructed and characterized. Structural analysis indicates that the [Cu 2 I 2 ] cluster-based lanthanide MOF 1 displays a two-dimensional plane with sql topology. Catalytic study indicates that MOF 1 can efficiently catalyze the propargylic alcohols or aziridines with CO 2 under mild conditions. What's more, 1 as a heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled at least five times without obvious loss of catalytic performance. To our best knowledge, it is a rare example of a [Cu 2 I 2 ] cluster-based lanthanide MOF catalyst that can catalyze both aziridines and propargylic amines with CO 2 simultaneously under mild conditions. [Display omitted] • A novel MOF 1 has been constructed and characterized. • MOF 1 can catalyze aziridines/propargylic amines with CO 2 under mild conditions. • MOF 1 can be recycled at least five times without obvious loss of catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]