Thiazolidine-Grafted Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks: A Cysteine-Derived Route to Improved Metal Loading and Tune the CO2 Hydrogenation Efficiency.

Covalent grafting of S-containing ligands onto a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) can create a material with enhanced metal capture capabilities. This is achieved by forming thiazolidine groups from the condensation of aldehyde groups from the imidazole linker with cysteine, which can act as binding sites for noble metal ions. The ZIF material provides a highly porous support that controls the growth of metal nanoparticles, while the thiazolidine groups offer specific interactions with the noble metal atoms, leading to superior loading and minimal metal leaching.