Boosting selective oxidation of cyclohexane over a metal–organic framework by hydrophobicity engineering of pore walls

A porphyrinic metal–organic framework (MOF), PCN-222(Fe), was found to exhibit sound activity and selectivity to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (known as KA oil) toward cyclohexane oxidation. Remarkably, hydrophobicity engineering of the MOF pore walls led to significantly enhanced activity and selectivity to KA oil, far superior to that of the homogeneous porphyrin catalyst.