Copper Nanoparticles Anchored on the Metal–Organic Framework as Recyclable Catalyst for CO2 Fixation to High-Value Compounds

The capture and utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a C1 source for valuable compounds and fuel production are essential in mitigating the escalating atmospheric carbon dioxide. In this context, the present study demonstrates rational integration of an efficient, highly recyclable, and noble-metal-free catalyst for effectively utilizing CO2 to prepare valuable commodity compounds and antibiotics. To achieve this, we anchored catalytically active, alkynophilic Cu(0) nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) with an average size of 10 nm in a high surface area (1079 m2/g), amine-functionalized MOF via the postsynthetic method. The resulting Cu NP-embedded MOF (Cu-NPs/MOF) demonstrates high CO2 uptake and superior catalytic performance for generating 2-oxazolidinones and α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates by CO2 coupling with propargylic amines and alcohols, respectively. More importantly, a facile one-pot preparation of 2-oxazolidinones, antibacterial agents, through a four-component reaction between readily accessible phenylacetylene, acetone, amine, and CO2 has also been accomplished using Cu-NPs/MOF as a catalyst. The high performance of the Cu-NPs/MOF is attributed to the synergistic participation of CO2-philic NH2 groups and catalytic Cu-NPs, rendering selective capture and utilization of carbon dioxide. Further, the Cu-NPs/MOF showed excellent recyclability over six cycles, retaining its catalytic performance and chemical stability. This work highlights the importance of CO2 utilization for one-pot synthesis of valuable 2-oxazolidinones by a four-component reaction involving C–H bond functionalization of phenyl acetylenes at mild conditions.