A series of aluminum-based coordination polymers or metal⁻organic frameworks (Al⁻MOFs), i.e., DUT-4, DUT-5, MIL-53, NH₂-MIL-53, and MIL-100, have been facile prepared by microwave (MW)-assisted reactions and used as catalysts for selective sulfoxidation reactions. The MW-assisted synthesis drastically reduced the reaction time from few days to hours. The prepared MOFs have smaller and uniform particle sizes and better yield compared to conventional hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the Al⁻MOFs have been successfully demonstrated as catalysts in oxidation reaction of methyl phenyl sulfide with H₂O₂ as oxidant, even under mild conditions, with more than 95% conversion.
Keywords: aluminum; heterogeneous catalysis; oxidation of sulfides.