Abstract: A method of detecting Hg2+ ions in an aqueous solution is described. The method includes contacting the aqueous solution with a metal-organic framework (MOF) chemosensor composite to form a mixture and monitoring a change in an absorption and/or a fluorescence profile of the MOF chemosensor composite in the mixture to determine a presence or absence of Hg2+ ions in the aqueous solution. The MOF chemosensor composite includes fluorescein hydrazide (FH); and a MOF, including nickel as a metal ion and at least one trimesic acid (BTC) ligand. A hydrazide group on the fluorescein hydrazide coordinates to the metal ion of the MOF.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to N-substituted Pd(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene-pyridine complexes, methods of preparing the complexes, and methods of using the complexes in Sonogashira coupling reactions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to solid-supported bridged Pd(II)—N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts, methods of preparing the catalysts, and methods of using the catalysts in carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reactions.

Abstract: A method of fixating CO2 to form a substituted oxazolidinone is described. The method includes mixing a nickel-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) catalyst of formula [Ni3(BTC)2(H2O)3]·(DMF)3(H2O)3, a cocatalyst, an aromatic amine, and at least one epoxide to form a reaction mixture, and further contacting the reaction mixture with a gas stream containing carbon dioxide to react the carbon dioxide in the gas stream with the epoxide and the aromatic amine to form a substituted oxazolidinone mixture. The method further includes adding a polar protic solvent to the substituted oxazolidinone mixture, centrifuging, and filtering to produce a recovered Ni-MOF; and further washing the recovered Ni-MOF with an organochloride solvent and drying for at least 5 hours to produce a recycled Ni-MOF.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)palladium(II) complexes, methods of preparing the complexes, and methods of using the complexes in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to N-substituted Pd(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene-pyridine complexes, methods of preparing the complexes, and methods of using the complexes in Sonogashira coupling reactions.

Abstract: Palladium catalysts, methods of synthesizing palladium-carbene catalysts, and methods of producing chromones and aurones using palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts are provided. In some implementations, the palladium catalysts include a bridged palladium catalyst with distorted square planar geometry around the center palladium atom. The catalysts can be used in cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions to produce chromones and aurones at a high yield. The selectivity of the catalysts can be adjusted by adjusting reaction conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)palladium(II) complexes, methods of preparing the complexes, and methods of using the complexes in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions.