A Samarium Rod-MOF With Benzophenone-4,4´-Dicarboxylate Linker: A Catalyst for Glycerol Acetalization to Solketal

Abstract

A samarium-based metal–organic framework (MOF) containing benzophenone-4,4′-dicarboxylate (bpndc) linker was synthesized and characterized using X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy methods. The crystal structure analysis revealed that the MOF is a three-dimensional 3-nodal 5-c net. The prepared MOF was used as a catalyst in glycerol acetalization to produce solketal as a fuel additive. The catalyst with suitable thermal stability and acidic characteristics resulted in 93.7% glycerol conversion with solketal selectivity of 90.1%. This study further supports the effectiveness of Ln-based MOF as potential Lewis acid catalysts for chemical transformations. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.