Copper-Functionalized MIL-101(Cr): An Efficient, Reusable, and Heterogeneous Catalyst for Chan–Lam Coupling and Amide Bond Formation

Abstract

Efficient protocols for the synthesis of secondary amines using phenylboronic acid and aniline via Chan–Evan–Lam coupling reaction and secondary amides by oxidative amidation of aldehydes with aniline utilizing heterogeneous, recyclable MIL-101(Cr)-SB-Cu catalyst have been developed. MIL-101(Cr)-SB-Cu has been synthesized via post-synthetic modification of amino-functionalized MIL-101(Cr). Various spectroscopic and analytical methods, such as FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, ICP-OES, and TG were used to characterize the synthesized catalyst. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity and provided good to excellent yields of the desired products under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst can be reused for up to five consecutive runs without significant loss in its catalytic activity. Low catalyst loading, easy work-up, gram-scale synthesis, and a simple catalyst preparation are some other advantages of this approach. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.