MIL-88-NH(Fe) conjugated pectin through a post-modification Ugi four-component reaction: A robust bio-based catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonate via CO fixation reaction.

The functionalization of materials via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) led to a recent surge in the interest of researchers, owing to the creation of exceptional properties in materials. Herein, a novel robust porous catalyst was prepared via the conjugation of MIL-88-NH(Fe) and pectin (DAP/MIL-88-NH(Fe)) through the post-modification Ugi four-component reaction (Ugi-4CR) for the first time. To achieve this aim, pectin was oxidized using sodium periodate as an oxidant agent to produce dialdehyde pectin (DAP). Next, the generated carbonyl functional groups participated in the Ugi-4CR of MIL-88-NH(Fe), 4-methyl carboxylic acid, and cyclohexyl (c-hex) isocyanide to produce DAP/MIL-88-NH(Fe) catalyst. The catalytic activity of the prepared bio-based catalyst was examined in producing cyclic carbonates through the chemical fixation of CO with epoxides in the presence of TBAB as a co-catalyst. Interestingly, catalytic experiments revealed that the prepared bio-based catalyst could be remarkably active regarding the CO fixation reaction and performed it in the shortest reaction time (1 h) via high CO adsorbent capacity. The outstanding benefits of the prepared bio-based catalyst include its non-hazardous nature, inexpensive, green and gentle reaction conditions, and ability to be reusable in several runs with slight loss of catalytic activity due to a more durable framework with high chemical and thermal stability.