Catalysis by metal organic frameworks

The process of catalysis is ancient old for harnessing the potential of enzymatic catalysis to
control enzymatic fermentation. During present day scenario the metal organic frameworks are
finding potential in catalysis. Metal organic frameworks represents a sub class of coordination
polymers derived from coordination metal centres or clusters coordinated to organic ligand. The
metal organic frameworks are repeating units of coordination compound extending in one, two or
three dimensions. The distinctive feature of MOF is the pore size of cavity.

Due to the porous nature of MOF, they are considered as inorganic analogue of zeolite. The key
difference of MOF is variability of their structure in combination with lower topological
restriction on the formation of porous three dimensional frameworks. The cavity size of MOF
can be tuned due to availability of wide variety of organic linkers. The role of metal organic
frameworks for catalysis can prove a boon to the industry as it incorporates the advantages of
both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. The heterogenation of a homogeneous catalyst
increases the purification chances with easy separation while retaining its selectivity. The MOF
can provide better control for catalysis as there are three different active sites for catalysis
including metal node which can be utilized, both acid and basic groups are there in one
frameworks which can complement the properties and last but not the least is tunable porous
cavity.