Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of porous, crystalline, two- and three-dimensional polymers synthesized from multifunctional monomers based on directional bonding principles. The pore size, shape, and functionality can be independently tuned by modifying the constituent monomers, enabling the preparation of varied architectures for a multitude of applications, including catalysis, molecular separations, and chemical sensing. However, most syntheses reported to date produce COFs as unoriented aggregates of nanoscale crystallites, which precludes their use in many of the targeted applications.<br/><br/>Towards higher quality COF materials, we recently discovered a new method to grow two-dimensional (2D) imine-linked COFs as suspensions of faceted single crystals rather than polycrystalline powders. I will discuss how our synthetic method can be optimized for accessing solution-processable crystals of both hexagonal and tetragonal topologies 2D imine-linked COFs, which can be used as stationary phases in gas chromatography setups that exhibit highly efficient separations of organic compounds, superior to those achieved by high-quality polycrystalline 2D imine COFs and even commercially available stationary phases. Ongoing and future work will provide critical mechanistic insight into the well-controlled polymerization process that gives rise to high-quality 2D COF single crystals, ultimately allowing access to a diverse library of single-crystalline 2D COFs that can be tailored for desired applications.

2D imine-linked covalent organic frameworks for preferential adsorption of cyclohexane over benzene

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.