Topochemical conversion of an imine- into a thiazole-linked covalent organic framework enabling real structure analysis.

ABSTRACT: Stabilization of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) by post-synthetic locking strategies is a powerful tool to push the limits of COF utilization, which are imposed by the reversible COF linkage. Here we introduce a sulfur-assisted chemical conversion of a two-dimensional imine-linked COF into a thiazole-linked COF, with full retention of crystallinity and porosity. This post-synthetic modification entails significantly enhanced chemical and electron beam stability, enabling investigation of the real framework structure at a high level of detail. An in-depth study by electron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveals a myriad of previously unknown or unverified structural features such as grain boundaries and edge dislocations, which are likely generic to the in-plane struct

SUBMITTER: Haase F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6030076 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature