Triptycene-Based and Schiff-Base-Linked Porous Networks: Efficient Gas Uptake, High CO2/N2 Selectivity, and Excellent Antiproliferative Activity

A set of unique triptycene-based and organic Schiff-base-linked polymers (TBOSBLs) are conveniently synthesized in which triptycene motifs are connected with 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol units via Schiff-base linkages. TBOSBLs are amorphous, thermally stable with a reasonable surface area (SA(BET) up to 649 m(2)/g), and have abundant nanopores (pore size < 100 nm). TBOSBLs are good sorbents for small gas molecules (such as CO2, H-2, and N-2) and they can selectively capture CO2 over N-2. Additionally, TBOSBLs show superior antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer cells relative to previously reported covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The mechanism of cell death is also studied elaborately.