Ethylene Dimerization Performance of NiBTCs Synthesized Using Different Solvents

MOFs have attracted widespread attention in the field of catalytic ethylene dimerization. Compared with post-synthetic modification, ion exchange and other methods to introduce external active centers, the direct use of MOF materials as catalysts is still the most convenient and prospective. Herein, the NiBTCs are synthesized using a one-pot method in two kinds of solvent and characterized by XRD, FT–IR, ICP–OES, XPS, TGA and N2physical adsorption. After treatment at 150 °C, the catalytic activities of both materials in ethylene dimerization are up to 470.9, and 647.0 gpro./(gcat.·h) and the selectivity of 1-butene in all products could reach 83.2% and 81.7%, respectively. Stability testing of the catalysts demonstrated that they do not decompose during the reaction, but their reuse performance is degraded. In addition, a probable Cossee–Arlman–type mechanism is proposed. The NiBTCs are shown to have superior catalytic performance in ethylene dimerization compared to employing Ni(pyz)2Cl2or α–Ni(im)2as catalysts.Keywords:ethylene dimerization;NiBTCs;MOFs;1-butene