Catalytic oxygen evolution from hydrogen peroxide by trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)]@InBTB metal–organic framework catalytic system

The diethylammonium counter-cations of the [Et(2)NH(2)](3)[In(3)(BTB)(4)] metal–organic framework (InBTB MOF, BTB = 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate) with an anionic framework can be effectively exchanged with cationic trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)](+) complex ions through a simple cation-exchange process. The heterogenized trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)](+)-encapsulated InBTB MOF (trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)]@InBTB) catalytic system maintained the activity of the captured trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)](+) complex ion for hydrogen peroxide decomposition in aqueous solution under mild reaction conditions. The captured trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)](+) complex also exhibited trans–cis isomerization to produce either cis-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)]@InBTB or cis-[Co(en)(2)(H(2)O)Cl]@InBTB based on IR spectroscopic investigation. The trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)]@InBTB catalytic system showed high recyclability for oxygen evolution from hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic ability of trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)]@InBTB was maintained up to seven times of recycling.