A gallium-based metal-organic framework, post-modified with MoO 2 Cl 2 , was examined as a catalyst for the room temperature liquid-phase photooxidation of α-and β-pinene in the presence of molecular oxygen as the oxidant. For both substrates, (α, β)-pinene oxide was formed as the sole product due to the oxygen atom transfer process. Peroxo-molybdenum species was identified in the reoxidation process using infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, a comparison of the structure of the catalyst before and after catalysis by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and N 2 adsorption-desorption measurements demonstrated the high recyclability and potential of this catalyst in the photocatalytic epoxidation process of terpenes.

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