π-Conjugation-directed highly selective adsorption of benzene over cyclohexane

Crystalline materials with large tailor-made channels have been made by an isoreticular synthesis strategy, which includes a successful adjustment of the pi-conjugation over a framework skeleton allowing target recognition for aromatic molecules. The selective absorption of benzene over cyclohexane has been achieved, with a significant increase in benzene uptake with the improvement of the degree of pi-conjugation.