Strongly Lewis acidic metal-organic frameworks for continuous flow catalysis

Lewis acidic metal-organic framework (MOF) materials comprising triflate-coordinated metal nodes are described. The materials can be used as heterogenous catalysts in a wide range of organic group transformations, including Diels-Alder reactions, epoxide-ring opening reactions, Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions and alkene hydroalkoxylation reactions. The MOFs can also be prepared with metallated organic bridging ligands to provide heterogenous catalysts for tandem reactions and/or prepared as composites with support particles for use in columns of continuous flow reactor systems. Methods of preparing and using the MOF materials and their composites are also described.