Switchable Metal Sites in Metal–Organic Framework MFM‐300(Sc): Lewis Acid Catalysis Driven by Metal–Hemilabile Linker Bond Dynamics
Ricardo A. Peralta, Pengbo Lyu, Alfredo López‐Olvera, Juan L. Obeso, Carolina Leyva, Nak Cheon Jeong, Ilich A. Ibarra, Guillaume Maurin
Abstract
Uncommon reversible guest-induced metal-hemilabile linker bond dynamics in MOF MFM-300(Sc) was unraveled to switch on/switch off catalytic open metal sites. The catalytic activity of this MOF with non-permanent open metal sites was demonstrated using a model Strecker hydrocyanation reaction as a proof-of-concept. Conclusively, the catalytic activity was evidenced to be fully reversible, preserving the conversion performance and structure integrity of MFM-300(Sc) over multiple cycles. These experimental findings were corroborated by quantum-calculations that revealed a reaction mechanism driven by the Sc-open metal sites. This discovery paves the way towards the design of new effective and easily regenerable heterogeneous MOF catalysts integrating switchable metal sites.