Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks with Dual Linkages for Bifunctional Cascade Catalysis

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of porous crystalline polymers with broad potential applications. So far, the availability of three-dimensional (3D) COFs is limited and more importantly only one type of covalent bond has been successful used for 3D COF materials. Here, we report a new synthetic strategy based on dual linkages that leads to 3D COFs. The obtained 3D COFs show high specific surface areas and large gas uptake capacities, which makes them the top COF material for gas uptake. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the new 3D COFs comprise both acidic and basic sites, and act as excellent bifunctional catalysts for one-pot cascade reactions. The new synthetic strategy provides not only a general and versatile approach to synthesize 3D COFs with sophisticated structures but also expands the potential applications of this promising class of porous materials.