Sulfonic-functionalized MIL-101 as bifunctional catalyst for cyclohexene oxidation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are newly emerging and versatile platforms for designing catalysts, and catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene has attracted much academic and industrial attention for the versatile reactivity of the substrate and the great importance of the various oxygenated products. Here we report the bifunctional catalytic properties of a sulfonic-containing MOF, MIL-101-SO₃H, for cyclohexene oxidation. The sulfonic group and the Cr(III) site acts in a complementary or collaborative way. The Cr(III) framework promotes the oxidation to 3-hydroperoxycyclohex-1-ene (perox) and 2-cyclohexen-1-one (1-one) (route A), whereas the sulfonic group in collaboration with the Cr(III) framework promotes the oxidation to diol (route B) and also enhances further conversions in route A: from perox to 1-one, to 2-cyclohexen-1,4-dione (dione) and even to benzoquinone. With the bifunctional MOF, molecular oxygen alone cannot oxidize cyclohexene but participates as oxidant cooperating with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) to accelerate the reactions and to alter the product distribution in favor of dione.