Zr‐MOF‐808 as Catalyst for Amide Esterification

In this work, zirconium‐based metal–organic framework Zr‐MOF‐808‐P has been found to be an efficient and versatile catalyst for amide esterification. Comparing with previously reported homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, Zr‐MOF‐808‐P can promote the reaction for a wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary amides with n ‐butanol as nucleophilic agent. Different alcohols have been employed in amide esterification with quantitative yields. Moreover, the catalyst acts as a heterogeneous catalyst and could be reused for at least five consecutive cycles. The amide esterification mechanism has been studied on the Zr‐MOF‐808 at molecular level by in situ FTIR spectroscopic technique and kinetic study.