Expanding Applications of Metal−Organic Frameworks: Zeolite Imidazolate Framework ZIF-8 as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Knoevenagel Reaction

A highly porous zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) was synthesized by a solvothermal method, and used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel reaction. The solid catalyst was characterized using a variety of different techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic laser light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and nitrogen physisorption measurements. Quantitative conversion was achieved under mild conditions. The ZIF-8 catalyst could be facilely separated from the reaction mixture, and could…