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, <b>IITG-7</b>, with a 5-(((1<i>H</i>-imidazole-2-yl)methyl)amino)isophthalic acid linker using a solvothermal method. The activated MOF <b>IITG-7a</b> 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, <b>IITG-7a</b> 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 <i>tert</i>-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 <b>IITG-7a</b> as a promising catalyst for both the OER and CO₂ conversion.