Cooperative Catalysis at Metal-MOF Interface: Hydrodeoxygenation of Vanillin over Pd Nanoparticles Covered with UiO-66(Hf) MOF

Cooperative catalysis has been demonstrated over metal–MOF hybrids for the conversion of vanillin (biomass based platform molecules) into value-added 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol. Over a Pd@UiO-66(Hf) core–shell catalyst, cooperativity between Bronsted acidic μ3-OH groups and Pd active sites present at the interface has rendered a catalytic performance of >99% vanillin conversion and >99% 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol selectivity at 90 °C under 3 bar H2 in water. An enhanced cooperative effect has been observed over a core–shell catalyst compared to a support catalyst.