Direct Synthesis, Structural Features, and Enhanced Catalytic Activity of the Basolite F300-like Semiamorphous Fe-BTC Framework

Paradoxically, one of the most widely and successfully tested metal–organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts, i.e., the Fe-BTC material commercialized as Basolite F300, entails a certain “mystery”: Its structure is unknown and only an indirect and complex preparation method has been reported. This work describes an easy preparation method of a Basolite F300-like material. Furthermore, this synthesis procedure is carried out under environmentally and economically sustainable conditions: at room temperature, in a few minutes and using water as the unique solvent. Several characterization techniques indicate that both commercial and lab-made Fe-BTC materials are very much similar in so many physicochemical properties. However, the herein reported Fe-BTC possesses better textural properties, especially regarding the external surface area. Both Fe-BTC materials catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexene with very similar selectivity. However, the sample prepared in the laboratory gives a notably higher conversion, which was attributed to its external surface area. Iron leaching, if any, was negligible, and no significant structural transformation was detected. Finally, this paper also gives valuable structural information about the semiamorphous Fe-BTC: it exclusively contains the smallest mesocages of MIL-100(Fe), which provides an important input for interpreting the role of these Fe-BTC materials in any application demanding high porosity.