Study of CoCu Alloy Nanoparticles Supported on MOF-Derived Carbon for Hydrosilylation of Ketones

Abstract: Carbonized zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) show potential as mesoporous heterogeneous catalysts with high metal loadings. ZIF-67 and ZIF-8 were used to create mono- and bimetallic CoCu particles supported on nitrogen-doped carbon via self-assembly in methanol at room temperature, followed by carbonization at 675 °C.

A Cu precursor, Cu(NO3)2·2H2O, was impregnated into the ZIF-67 before carbonization to obtain bimetallic catalysts. Nanoalloy particles with different CoCu ratio were synthesized and characterized using XRD. The materials were further characterized using TEM, SEM, XRF and nitrogen physisorption. The different alloys were tested in conversion of cyclohexanone to the corresponding silyl ether.

Complete conversion of cyclohexanone at 90 °C for 24 h were obtained. The catalyst Co99Cu1@NC gave a 60% increase in yield over a pure Co analogue. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].