Separation of Arylenevinylene Macrocycles with a Surface-Confined Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework

A two-dimensional surface covalent organic framework, prepared by a surface-confined synthesis using 4,4-azodianiline and benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde as the precursors, was used as a host network to effectively immobilize arylenevinylene macrocycles (AVMs). Thus AVMs could be separated from their linear polymer analogues, which are the common side-products in the cyclooligomerization process. Scanning tunneling microscopy investigations revealed efficient removal of linear polymers by a simple surface binding and solvent washing process.