A new metal-organic-framework was synthesized using 4-(4,2':6',4''-terpyridin-4'-yl)benzoic acid ligand and aminoterephthalic acid connector and Zn(II) metal ions. The structure of the MOF was characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, TGA, Raman, powder XRD, and SEM analyses. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography confirmed the formation of a 3D triply interpenetrated structure containing distorted tetrahedral Zn(II) ions, each coordinated by one carboxylate oxygen and two nitrogen donors from three symmetry-related terpyridinylben-zoic acid ligands and a carboxylate oxygen of the 2-aminoterephthalic acid anion (Figure 1). FT-IR spectra and Raman shifts confirmed the formation of the MOF through coordination of carboxylate groups of both terpyridinylbenzoic acid and 2-aminoterephthalic acid ligands and nitrogen atoms of terpyridine moieties. TGA analysis indicated moderate stability of the MOF until 370 °C. The pattern of the powder XRD confirmed the high crystallinity of the MOF. SEM images indicated an uneven distribution of nanoparticles with irregular flake-like surfaces. The MOF efficiently catalyzed the oxidative formation of Schiff bases from alcohols and aniline derivatives, in good to excellent conversion, with moderate to excellent selectivity. The proposed reaction mechanism involves the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde through H2 elimi-nation, followed by condensation with aniline to produce the corresponding Schiff base.
