Vibrational Properties of Boroxine Anhydride and Boronate Ester Materials: Model Systems for the Diagnostic Characterization of Covalent Organic Frameworks

The vibrational characteristics of 28 different boronic acid, boroxine anhydride, and boronate ester species have been systematically investigated using a combination of experimental infrared (IR) spectroscopy and computational modeling. IR bands characteristic to each boron-containing functionality have been categorized and assigned in conjunction with density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)), with the aim of better understanding and distinguishing the vibrational characteristics of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) built from boronic acids. In several cases, vibrational assignments differ from those previously reported in the literature on boronic acid-based COFs. Vibrations commonly regarded as diagnostic for one functionality are found in regions of the IR spectrum where other functionalities also show characteristic peaks. The collective experimental and computational results reveal that several alternative bands in the IR region can be used to more diagnostically distinguish between boronic acid, boroxine anhydride, and boronate ester species. The results presented herein provide the tools for straightforward characterization of boroxine anhydride and boronate ester species using IR spectroscopy. The results can be applied to additional theoretical studies of larger COF-like assemblies as well as the analysis of other boronic-acid-based materials.