3D Open-Framework Vanadoborate as a Highly Effective Heterogeneous Pre-catalyst for the Oxidation of Alkylbenzenes

Three three-dimensional (3D) open-framework vanadoborates, denoted as SUT-6-Zn, SUT-6-Mn, and SUT-6-Ni, were synthesized using diethylenetriamine as a template. SUT-6-Zn, SUT-6-Mn, and SUT-6-Ni are isostructural and built from (VO)₁₂O₆ B₁₈O₃₆(OH)₆ clusters bridged by ZnO₅, MnO₆, and NiO₆ polyhedra, respectively, to form the 3D frameworks. SUT-6 is the first vanadoborate with a 3D framework. The framework follows a semiregular hxg net topology with a 2-fold interpenetrated diamond-like channel system. The amount of template used in the synthesis played an important role in the dimensionality of the resulting vanadoborate structures. A small amount of diethylenetriamine led to the formation of this first 3D vanadoborate framework, while an increased amount of diethylenetriamine resulted in vanadoborates with zero-dimensional (0D) and one-dimensional (1D) structures. SUT-6-Zn was proved to be an efficient heterogeneous precatalyst for the oxidation of alkylbenzenes.