A heterogenized cobaltate catalyst on a bis-imidazolium-based covalent triazine framework for hydroesterification of epoxides

Abstract

An imidazolium-cobaltate-based heterogeneous catalyst exhibits advantages over its homogeneous counterpart in the synthesis of β-hydroxyesters from epoxides. However, leaching of cobaltate from the catalytic support decreases the selectivity and recyclability of the catalyst. To overcome such drawbacks, a bis-imidazolium-based covalent triazine framework (CTF) is employed as a catalytic support for the hydroesterification catalyst to reduce cobaltate leaching by the intramolecular anion stabilization effect of the multi-imidazolium moiety, resulting in an excellent selectivity for the β-hydroxyester and unprecedented recyclability.