Bifunctional 2D Cd(II)-Based Metal–Organic Framework as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Formation of C–C Bond

A porous two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF), namely, [Cd(PBA)(DMF)]·DMF (Cd-PBA), has been solvothermally synthesized by the reaction of 5-(4-pyridin-3-yl-benzoylamino)-isophthalic acid ligand (H2PBA) and Cd(II) ions. Structural analysis shows that Cd-PBA possesses 2D (3,6)-connected kgd net topology with the Schläfli symbol of (43)2(46.66.83) and exhibits two distinct types of one-dimensional opening channels along a- and c-axes. The incorporation of Cd metal centers and −NH groups of amides endows Cd-PBA rich open metal sites and Lewis basic sites, which are applied as an efficient catalyst for the important Knoevenagel condensation and cyanosilylation of aldehyde reactions. This Cd-PBA presents highly efficient catalytic activity and recyclability for both Knoevenagel condensation reaction and cyanosilylation of various aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN). The excellent catalytic activity can be maintained at least four cycles without loss of obvious catalytic activity. These results indicate Cd-PBA can serve as a promising heterogeneous catalyst toward C–C bond formation due to the stability and high catalytic activity.