Hafnium-based metal–organic frameworks are promising catalysts for upgrading biomass derivatives via an aldol condensation reaction.

In this work, a catalytic method is presented for the synthesis of aromatic carbamates from aromatic amines using dimethyl carbonate instead of phosgene as a green and safe reaction process. Microcrystalline Zr-MOF-808 is reported as an active and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the selective carbamoylation of anilines and industrially relevant aromatic diamines, under mild reaction conditions with near quantitative yields. We have accomplished the selective growth of well-dispersed Zr-MOF-808 nanocrystals within the mesoporous material MCM-41. A superior catalytic performance of the Zr-MOF-808@MCM-41 is demonstrated that together with increased stability stands out as an advantageous heterogeneous catalyst for polyurethane production. In situ FTIR studies have allowed a better understanding of the reaction pathway at the molecular level when the active MOF catalyst is present.

Quinolines have been an interest of study for a few decades due to the importance of this system in natural and pharmaceutical products. Since their discovery in the nineteenth century, many medicinal properties have been found for quinoline compounds. Firstly, as an anti-parasitic agent against malaria and then against many other diseases, such as, other parasitic infections, HIV, bacterial infections and cancer. Consequently, many synthetic methods have been developed to afford the quinoline ring. In this review we look back at traditional methods and look forward to the most recent and promising "green" methods for the synthesis of quinolines. Also, we review the newest advances in therapeutic compounds based on the quinoline skeleton for the treatment of parasitic and cancer diseases and the most recent applications of quinoline derivatives in drug delivery systems.

A chiral mesoporous organosilica material incorporating a urea based-cinchona derivative and propylamine groups was prepared by a co-condensation method. The multisite solid catalyst efficiently promoted the asymmetric multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, malonates and nitromethane.