Metal-organic framework-based nanostructured catalysts: Applications in biomass conversion

The need for sustainable and ecofriendly materials has grown due to practical considerations over the past few decades. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn significant interest due to their distinctive and intriguing chemical and physical properties as they have been utilized in a variety of chemistries to convert biomass into biofuels and other useful processes. The transformation of glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) or levulinic acid, HMF into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acids, vanillin into 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, and other transformations are discussed in this review article wherein these conversions have been promoted by a variety of MOF-based catalysts, with relevantly enhanced green credentials. Selected examples are discussed for various processes that exploit the reusability aspect, catalysts' reactivity with the inherent MOFs properties and features benefits, together with potential drawbacks of the catalysts also discussed along with future perspectives.