Metal(II) Coordination Polymers from Tetracarboxylate Linkers: Synthesis, Structures, and Catalytic Cyanosilylation of Benzaldehydes

Three 2D coordination polymers, [Cu2(µ4-dpa)(bipy)2(H2O)]n∙6nH2O (1), [Mn2(µ6-dpa)(bipy)2]n (2), and [Zn2(µ4-dpa)(bipy)2(H2O)2]n·2nH2O (3), were prepared by a hydrothermal method using metal(II) chloride salts, 3-(2′,4′-dicarboxylphenoxy)phthalic acid (H4dpa) as a linker, as well as 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) as a crystallization mediator. Compounds 1–3 were obtained as crystalline solids and fully characterized. The structures of 1–3 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing 2D metal-organic networks of sql, 3,6L66, and hcb topological types. Thermal stability and catalytic behavior of 1–3 were also studied. In particular, zinc(II) coordination polymer 3 functions as a highly active and recoverable heterogeneous catalyst in the mild cyanosilylation of benzaldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide to give cyanohydrin derivatives. The influence of various parameters was investigated, including a time of reaction, a loading of catalyst and its recycling, an effect of solvent type, and a substrate scope. As a result, up to 93% product yields were attained in a catalyst recoverable and reusable system when exploring 4-nitrobenzaldehyde as a model substrate. This study contributes to widening the types of multifunctional polycarboxylic acid linkers for the design of novel coordination polymers with notable applications in heterogeneous catalysis.