3D microporous base-functionalized covalent organic frameworks for size-selective catalysis.

The design and synthesis of 3D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been considered a challenge, and the demonstrated applications of 3D COFs have so far been limited to gas adsorption. Herein we describe the design and synthesis of two new 3D microporous base-functionalized COFs, termed BF-COF-1 and BF-COF-2, by the use of a tetrahedral alkyl amine, 1,3,5,7-tetraaminoadamantane (TAA), combined with 1,3,5-triformylbenzene (TFB) or triformylphloroglucinol (TFP). As catalysts, both BF-COFs showed remarkable conversion (96% for BF-COF-1 and 98% for BF-COF-2), high size selectivity, and good recyclability in base-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reactions. This study suggests that porous functionalized 3D COFs could be a promising new class of shape-selective catalysts.