Metal-organic framework catalysts, and uses thereof

Abstract

Provided herein are metal-organic frameworks having a repeating core structure that generally includes a linker coordinated to a secondary building unit through O-metal-O bonds. The linkers create a framework with a plurality of pores, where a cobalt carbonyl moiety occupies at least a portion of the plurality of pores. Provided are also methods of making such metal-organic frameworks via a solvothermal reaction. The metal-organic frameworks are suitable for use in carbonylation reactions, such as carbonylation of epoxides. The metal-organic frameworks may be used for producing acrylic acid from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide on an industrial scale. The production may involve various unit operations, including for example a beta-propiolactone production system configured to produce beta-propiolactone from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide; a polypropiolactone production system configured to produce polypropiolactone from beta-propiolactone; and an acrylic acid production system configured to produce acrylic acid with a high purity by thermolysis of polypropiolactone.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.