Chiral ligand-based metal-organic frameworks for broad-scope asymmetric catalysis

Metal-organic framework (MOFs) compositions based on chiral phosphine-, chiral oxazoline-, chiral pyridine-, and chiral diene-derived organic bridging ligands were synthesized and then post-synthetically metalated with metal precursors such as Ru and Rh complexes. The metal complexes could also be directly incorporated into the MOFs. The MOFs provide a versatile family of recyclable and reusable single-site solid catalysts for catalyzing a variety of asymmetric organic transformations, including the addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated ketones and alkimines, the hydrogenation of substituted alkene and carbonyl compounds, and cyclization reactions. The solid catalysts can also be integrated into a flow reactor or a supercritical fluid reactor.