High efficiency solution synthesis of aryl-aryl linked two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with remarkable adsorption performance for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

• A novel type of aryl-aryl linked two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs). • An efficient, scalable, mild and interfacial synthetic method toward 2D-COFs. • 2D-COFs featured with layered nanosheet structure of large surface area, aryl-aryl linked backbone, dispersible in organic solvent. • Efficient adsorption for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A novel type of aryl-aryl linked two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs) material possessing layered nanosheet structure with a large surface and regular porosity was constructed via trimerization of acetyl at the dynamic interface of dichloromethane and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. This synthetic strategy compared with traditional COFs synthetic methods has the advantages of simple condition, low temperature, short reaction time, high yield, and absence of a metal catalyst. Due to the strong π–π interaction and hydrophobic effect, associated with high surface area and highly ordered 2D open nanopores, 2D-COFs have been successfully applied to the adsorption of toxic organic compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).