Hierarchical MOF-derived ZnFe2O4 as an efficient and sustainable heterogeneous catalyst for C-O and C-N cross-coupling reactions.

Herein, we have developed hierarchical ZnFe2O4 micro/nanostructures, synthesized via solvent-evaporation-induced Zn2+ deposition by pyrolysis of a Zn salt and Fe-based metal-organic framework. The synthesized material was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnFe2O4 micro/nanostructures. The surface area and magnetic nature of the material were studied using BET and VSM analyses, respectively. The thermal stability of the material was also studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized material was then explored as a heterogeneous catalyst for C-O and C-N coupling reactions, where it demonstrated excellent catalytic activity including good reusability, low E-factor, considerable Reaction Mass Efficiency (RME), illustrating its compatibility with green chemistry principles. Considering the essential role of C-O and C-N bonds in the synthesis of drugs and agrochemicals, here we have synthesized a total of 39 compounds with yields up to 96%. This study thus demonstrates how MOF-derived ZnFe2O4 can function as a sustainable and effective catalytic system for advanced organic transformations.