Cu Nanoclusters Anchored on the Metal–Organic Framework for the Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane and the Reduction of Quinolines

Free-access active sites created and the interaction regulated between them and substrates during the heterogeneous catalysis process are crucial, which remain a great challenge. In this work, in suit reduced to afford naked Cu nanoparticles (NPs) have been anchored on the metal–organic framework (MOF), NH2-MOF, to form Cu-NH2-MOF. The strategy can precisely control the Cu NP formation with small size and uniform distribution. The Cu NP properties and MOF advantages have been integrated to create a great catalyst with multiple functions and have resulted in improving the recyclability and superb catalytic activity for the one-pot reduction of heterocycle reactions under mild conditions. The experimental and theoretical calculation results show that the superior performance should be attributed to the framework of NH2-MOF that provides large caves for substrate enrichment and the stabilization of Cu sites by the −NH2 group.