Supported metal nanocatalyst is one
of the efficient tools for
organic transformations. However, catalyst deactivation caused by
the migration, aggregation, and leaching of active metal species in
the reaction process remains challenging. Herein, a metal–organic
framework (MOF), MIL-101, was employed to covalently graft the PPh3 ligand on its surface and then supported palladium nanoparticles
(Pd NPs), affording Pd/MIL-101-PPh3. A variety of spectral
characterizations and DFT calculation reveal that there is an electron-donating
effect of the MOF surface PPh3 toward Pd NPs, which markedly
boosts the activation of the carbon-halogen bond in aryl halides.
Consequently, Pd/MIL-101-PPh3 exhibits excellent activity
for the three-component reaction of 2-iodoaniline, CO2,
and isocyanide, as well as Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck coupling
reactions, far exceeding amino-functionalized Pd/MIL-101-NH2, naked Pd/MIL-101, and other commercial-supported Pd catalysts.
Furthermore, Pd/MIL-101-PPh3 can also frustrate the migration,
aggregation, and leaching of reactive Pd species in the reaction process
due to the molecular fence effect generated by MOF surface functionalization.