Conversion of CO₂ to Heterocyclohexenol Carboxylic Acids through a Metal–Organic Framework Sponge

The conversion of CO2 into high value-added chemical products is the focus of current scientific research. We make use of the specific porous structure of nanosized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) loading the highly active yet metastable nano Cu2O to catalyze the conversion of CO2 into a series of high value-added bioactive pyridone/pyrone-3-carboxylic acid products via heterocyclic 4-hydroxy-2-pyridones/pyrones, which exhibit high activity, selectivity, and reusability. Nano MOF sponge-covered metastable nanoparticles (NPs) converting CO2 into high value-added bioproducts provide a facile “dual-side surfactant” strategy, a highly efficient composite catalyst, and a practicable pathway not only for the sustainable use of CO2 but also for environment-friendly production of bioproducts.