A two-step solvothermal procedure to improve crystallinity of covalent organic frameworks and achieve scale-up preparation

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a novel class of functional polymers, exhibit versatile applications due to their crystalline porous structures and conjugated skeletons. However, synthesis of COFs with high crystallinity still faces great challenges, especially for scale-up preparation. Herein we report a two-step solvothermal process to improve crystallinity of COFs. The first step focuses on polycondensation of monomers with no need for optimizing crystallization conditions. In the second step, appropriate solvothermal conditions are used to facilitate crystallization of the COFs through defects correction and structural repairing. Furthermore, this strategy could also be applicable to scale-up synthesis of high quality COFs, which lays a foundation for their practical applications. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

This study introduces a two-step solvothermal process to enhance the crystallinity of COFs, focusing on polycondensation of monomers in the first step and facilitating crystallization of COFs through appropriate solvothermal conditions in the second step. This strategy can also be applied to scale-up synthesis of high quality COFs, laying a foundation for practical applications.