The Use of Uio-66 Metal–Organic Frameworks as a High-Performance Catalyst for the Isomerization Process of endo- to exo-Dicyclopentadiene in a Solvent-Free Condition

Exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane) or JP-10 is a synthetic jet fuel, which can be used as a high-density fuel in the air-breathing missile engineers and supersonic combustion ramjets. It can be produced from the fully saturated version of exo-dicyclopentadiene (exo-DCPD). This work introduces a new green method for isomerization of endo-dicyclopentadiene (endo-DCPD) to exo- form in the presence of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The synthesized UiO-66 and UiO-66-vac as two suitable MOF catalysts are used for the isomerization process in a solvent-free condition. The design of the experiment is used to optimize reaction conditions including time, temperature and catalyst loading. High yield and excellent conversion of endo- to exo-DCPD are obtained by reacting with UiO-66-vac at lower levels of time and temperature. Solvent-free, environmentally friendly, simple reaction process, reusable catalyst, and availability of materials are advantages of this process.