Copper-based MOF, Cu3(SDBA)2(HSDBA), as a catalyst for efficient reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride

Abstract

Herein, we report the synthesis of the copper-based MOF, Cu₃(SDBA)₂(HSDBA), using a solvothermal method. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared sample were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared and UV-vis spectroscopy techniques, and thermal analysis. Cu₃(SDBA)₂(HSDBA) was then investigated as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) at 25 °C, and related kinetics and thermodynamics analyses were carried out. In a nutshell, it can be emphasized that, under our conditions, the Cu₃(SDBA)₂(HSDBA) catalyst is able to completely reduce 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in a very short time such as 20 s. Additionally, Cu₃(SDBA)₂(HSDBA) can be re-used for seven successive cycles without obvious change in its catalytic activity.