Nanocage-confined catalyst, preparation process and use thereof

A nanocage-confined catalyst, characterized in that the catalyst has an active center of formula (I-1) and/or (I-2):

• M(Salen1)X (I-1)
• M′(Salen2) (I-2)
• such that the catalyst has formula (I):
• NC-m[M(Salen1)X]-n[M′(Salen2)] (I)
• wherein:
• NC is a material having a nanocage structure,
• each occurrence of M is independently selected from the group consisting of Co ion, Fe ion, Ga ion, Al ion, Cr ion, and a mixture thereof;
• and each occurrence of M′ is independently selected from Cu ion, Ni ion and a mixture thereof;
• m is an integer of 0 to 100, n is an integer of 0 to 100;
• provided that at least one of m and n is not 0;
• each occurrence of Salen1 and Salen2 is independently a derivative of a Shiff base;
• X is an axial anion, wherein each occurrence of X is independently selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted acetate, substituted or unsubstituted benzenesulfonate, substituted or unsubstituted benzoate, F−, Cl−, Br−, I−, SbF6−, PF6−, BF4− and a mixture thereof;
• provided that:
• (1) when X is a substituted or unsubstituted acetate, a substituted or unsubstituted benzenesulfonate, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzoate, then M is not a Co ion, or
• (2) when X is F−, Cl−, Br−, or I−, then m is not less than 2, and at least one occurrence of X in formula (I-1) is SbF6−.