Synthesis of covalent organic frameworks <i>via in situ</i> salen skeleton formation for catalytic applications

Abstract

A facile synthesis of COF-salen <italic>via in situ</italic> salen skeleton formation under air atmosphere is described herein. COF-salen–M prepared <italic>via</italic> metal ion coordination could efficiently catalyse chemical reactions, <italic>e.g.</italic> styrene epoxidation, epoxide hydration and cycloaddition reactions of epoxides with CO₂. More interestingly, both cooperation and isolation effects were observed in COF-salen–M.