We report a silver-based cationic metal-organic framework with two mixed organic linkers
directing the structure. The structure consists of 1D Ag(4,40-bipy) cationic chains arranged into closepacked
layers. Weakly bound alkanedisulfonate anions charge-balance the layers, where only one
oxygen of each sulfonate makes a long contact with the Ag. The unsaturated linear Ag centers likely
allow the Lewis acidity displayed by the material for ketone protection as well as esterification. The
material showed no reduction in yield after three catalytic runs with average 95% conversion yield for
ketal formation and 57% for esterification without further water removal. In addition to hydrothermal
conditions, the structure can be synthesized by reflux or room temperature, with almost
identical catalytic ability. Other properties of this compound including chemical and thermal stability
are also described.
Introduction