Metal-Organic Framework-Based Catalysts for Oxidative Desulfurization

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) is emerging as the most promising methodology to remove refractive naturally occurring sulfides from fossil fuels. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a fascinating class of materials, are suitable as catalysts for this process due to the theoretical infinite number of combinations of polynuclear metal clusters and organic linkers. A rational fine-tuning of the material structure, porosity and chemical functionality have given rise to a considerable number of MOF-based catalytic active materials. Furthermore, MOFs can act as host, with programmable cavity sizes to accommodate catalytic species, forming novel robust catalytic MOF composite materials. Herein an account of this growing field of heterogeneous catalysis is reported and discussed, aiming to point out future outlooks and perspectives.