Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks: design, applications, and prospects

As a new type of porous crystalline material, hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) assemble through intermolecular hydrogen bonds of organic building blocks. The unique advantages of HOFs, such as high crystallinity, solution processability, and facile regeneration, have attracted great research attention, enabling new platforms for exploring multifunctional applications. Herein, we summarize basic principles and synthetic methods of constructing HOFs with favorable stability and permanent porosity. In addition, hydrogen bonding motifs (diaminotriazine (DAT), carboxylic acid (-COOH), sulfonic acid (-SO3H), and others) used to construct HOFs and some potential applications of HOFs are highlighted, including gas separation and storage, proton conduction, sensing and fluorescence detection, ultra-long phosphorescent materials, light luminescent materials, catalysis, etc. Finally, the prospects and challenges of HOFs in the future are discussed.

Automated summary

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) are a new type of porous crystalline material assembled through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. They possess unique advantages including high crystallinity, solution processability, and facile regeneration, attracting extensive research attention and providing new platforms for multifunctional applications. This article summarizes the basic principles and synthetic methods of constructing stable and permanently porous HOFs, highlighting the hydrogen bonding motifs used and potential applications such as gas separation, proton conduction, sensing, fluorescence detection, and catalysis. The prospects and challenges of HOFs in the future are also discussed.