Unlocking the Potential of Cobalt-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Alkaline Oxygen Evolution and One-Pot Synthesis of Styrene Carbonate from Styrene and Carbon Dioxide

This work presents the synthesis of a Co(II) MOF, IITG-7, with a 5-(((1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl)amino)isophthalic acid linker using a solvothermal method. The activated MOF IITG-7a demonstrates excellent performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline medium, requiring only 350 mV overpotential to achieve a 10 mA/cm² current density, along with a minimal Tafel slope of 55.2 mV/dec and a charge transfer resistance of 3.5 Ω. Additionally, IITG-7a was successfully applied as a catalyst for the direct synthesis of styrene carbonate (SC) from styrene and CO₂, achieving 100% conversion in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) at ambient pressure. The catalyst also shows nearly 90% selectivity for SC in reactions with styrene derivatives and retains its catalytic efficiency for up to three cycles. These results highlight IITG-7a as a promising catalyst for both the OER and CO₂ conversion.