A Porous Metal–Organic Framework Assembled by [Cu₃₀] Nanocages: Serving as Recyclable Catalysts for CO₂ Fixation with Aziridines

Based on a novel ligand 5-(2,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyridin-4-yl)isophthalic acid (H₄BCP) with large skeletons, a unique porous framework {[Cu₂(BCP)(H₂O)₂]·3DMF} n (1) assembled by nano-sized and censer-like [Cu₃₀] cages is successfully obtained and structurally characterized. In 1, the large 1D channel in frameworks and window size in the nanocages can enrich methylene blue and capture CO₂, exhibiting the promising applications in environmental protection. More importantly, the explorations on the cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ and aziridines with various substituents suggest that 1 can serve as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for CO₂ conversion with aziridines in a solvent-free system, which can be reused at least ten times without any obvious loss in catalytic activity. This is the first example of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts in converting CO₂ into high-value oxazolidinones through activating aziridines and CO₂, further extending the applications of MOFs materials in catalysis.