A [Cu2I2] cluster-based lanthanide metal–organic framework (MOF) catalyst for the highly efficient conversion of CO2 with propargylic alcohols and aziridines

A new metal–organic framework (MOF) with the formula [Eu2Cu2I2(IN)6(DMF)4]·4DMF (1) (HIN = isonicotinic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) based on lanthanide ions and copper iodide clusters (Cu2I2) have been successfully constructed and characterized. Structural analysis indicates that the [Cu2I2] cluster-based lanthanide MOF 1 displays a two-dimensional plane with sql topology. Catalytic study indicates that MOF 1 can efficiently catalyze the propargylic alcohols or aziridines with CO2 under mild conditions. What's more, 1 as a heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled at least five times without obvious loss of catalytic performance. To our best knowledge, it is a rare example of a [Cu2I2] cluster-based lanthanide MOF catalyst that can catalyze both aziridines and propargylic amines with CO2 simultaneously under mild conditions.