Construction of Co/Ni-based coordination polymers with three-dimensional isostructural frameworks and multiple catalytic applications

Abstract In this paper, two isostructural Co/Ni-based coordination polymers [Co(Htzbt)(bpy)]n (1) and [Ni(Htzbt)(bpy)]n (2) have been synthesized by solvothermal method using 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3tzbt) and 4,4’-Bipyridine (bpy) as mixed ligands. The two compounds exhibited three dimensional (3D) pillared-layer structure and relative high water-stability. Interestingly, through rationally selection of functional ligand and metal ions, isolated N sites and carboxylic acid sites as well as unsaturated metal sites were combined in the structure of the final compounds. Benefit from these multiple active centers in the framework, the as-synthesized compounds exhibit enhanced catalytic activity in both cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides and hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol. In particular, compound 1 showed superior catalytic performance under mild conditions. Additionally, 1 could maintain relative high efficiency for at least four cycles, exhibiting potential application in practical catalysis.