Metal-Organic Frameworks as Multifunctional Solid Catalysts

This review article describes the main reasons to use metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as solid catalysts for liquid-phase reactions, including synthesis by design, high porosity in the micro-mesoporous range, and a high density of unsaturated transition-metal ions. The primary objective of this short review is to describe key current research strategies for improving activity, such as the role of structural defects, the synthesis of mixed-metal and mixed-ligand MOFs, and the synthesis of 2D materials with high lateral area-to-thickness aspect ratios. Emphasis is also placed on illustrating the potential offered by MOFs to develop multifunctional catalysts in tandem reactions. The final section contains our view on how the field will evolve towards implementing various industrial processes and expanding to electro-and photocatalysis.