Quasi-homogeneous catalytic conversion of CO2 into quinazolinones inside a metal–organic framework microreactor

Abstract

Management of CO₂ has been attracting great attention in this century. Reaction of CO₂ with 2-haloanilines and isocyanides is an attractive way for both converting CO₂ and producing quinazolinones, which are key intermediates for the synthesis of various biologically active products. However, the heterogeneous and relatively inert nature of CO₂ with 2-haloaniline and isocyanide reactants limits the types of suitable catalysts. Herein, we use metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as a “microreactor”, in which Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ is well-dispersed as a single-molecular catalyst, and the reactants react in the molecular level through a “quasi-homogeneous” way to convert CO₂ into quinazolinones under mild conditions with both promising yields over homogeneous catalysts and good recyclability as a heterogeneous reaction. The MOF-assisted single-molecular catalysis strategy should contribute to CO₂ conversion, production of quinazolinone-type bioactive intermediates, and the epochal development of “homo-and-heterogeneous” catalysis.