The ionic liquid microphase enhances the catalytic activity of Pd nanoparticles supported by a metal–organic framework

Abstract

Here we demonstrate the utilization of the ionic liquid (IL) microphase for enhancing the catalytic activities of the metal nanoparticles supported on a MOF. The IL microphase offers an excellent environment for stabilizing metal nanoparticles. A new heterogeneous catalyst Pd/IL/MOF is developed, which combines the advantages of highly dispersed small Pd nanoparticles, the IL microphase and a porous MOF. The as-synthesized Pd/IL/MOF catalysts have shown high catalytic activity and reusability for selective hydrogenation under mild conditions.