# Zn-URJC-12 Material Constituted of Two Different Organic Ligands for CO2 Valorization into Cyclic Carbonates

## TL;DR

A new zinc-based material called Zn-URJC-12 efficiently converts CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates with high yields and stability.

## Contribution

Zn-URJC-12 is a novel metal-organic framework first applied for CO2 valorization into cyclic carbonates.

## Key findings

- Zn-URJC-12 achieves 100% yield for propylene oxide and 76% for allyl glycidyl ether in CO2 cycloaddition.
- The material remains stable in polar solvents and retains catalytic performance over five cycles.
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the framework's structure with coordinated –NH2 groups.

## Abstract

A novel metal–organic framework based on zinc ions, designated as Zn-URJC-12, has been synthesized and applied for the first time in the cycloaddition reaction between carbon dioxide and epoxides. This MOF is constructed from two different organic linkers: 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid. The framework features –NH2 functional groups coordinated to Zn(II) centers, as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Zn-URJC-12 demonstrates exceptional chemical stability in polar organic solvents, such as methanol, while maintaining thermal stability up to 250 °C. The material exhibits high catalytic efficiency in the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides, achieving yields of 100% and 76% for propylene oxide and allyl glycidyl ether, respectively. Additionally, Zn-URJC-12 maintains its structural integrity and catalytic performance during five successive reaction cycles. These findings underscore Zn-URJC-12 as a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the valorization of CO2 into cyclic carbonates.