Acridine-Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) as Photocatalysts for Metallaphotocatalytic C-N Cross-Coupling

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are structurally tuneable, porous and crystalline polymers constructed through the covalent attachment of small organic building blocks as elementary units. Using the myriad of such building blocks, a broad spectrum of functionalities has been applied for COF syntheses for broad applications, including heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new family of porous and crystalline COFs using a novel acridine linker and benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde derivatives bearing a variable number of hydroxy groups. With the broad absorption in the visible light region, the COFs were applied as photocatalysts in metallaphotocatalytic C-N cross-coupling. The fully beta-ketoenamine linked COF showed the highest activity, due to the increased charge separation upon irradiation. The COF showed good to excellent yields for several aryl bromides, good recyclability and even catalyzed the organic transformation in presence of green light as energy source.

Automated summary

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous and crystalline polymers constructed through the covalent attachment of small organic building blocks. This study reports the synthesis of a new family of COFs using an acridine linker and benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde derivatives, and their application as photocatalysts in metallaphotocatalytic C-N cross-coupling reactions, exhibiting high activity and good yields.