Immobilized Mercury Ions as Catalytically Active Sites in Metal-Organic Frameworks

• Applicant: Dr. Günther Thiele
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: Funded in 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 286728726

The present proposal aims at the synthesis and characterization of mercury containing metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, which are to be investigated for catalytic applications within organic synthesis. Due to the imminent and chronic toxicity of mercury and its compounds, these materials have been replaced within academic and industrial synthesis to a large extent. However, mercury compounds are still inevitable for some organic reactions. Within those reactions the applied mercury species have to be removed from reaction mixtures and disposed thereafter. The project proposal aims to replace those compounds.Via incorporation of mercury within MOFs, catalytically active mercury ions are to be made unsoluble and immobilized, respectively. Thus, an easy method for the separation of the mercury compound after synthesis, as well as the possibility for a recycling of the catalyst, shall be evaluated. Moreover, such an embedding can enhance the catalytic activity, thereby reducing the necessary amount of mercury.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Jeffrey R. Long