Chemical Conversion of Linkages in Covalent Organic Frameworks

The imine linkages of two layered, porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs), TPB-TP-COF ([C₆H₃(C₆H₄N)₃]₂[C₆H₄(CH)₂]₃, 1) and 4PE-1P-COF ([C₂(C₆H₄N)₄][C₆H₄(CH)₂]₂, 2), have been transformed into amide linkages to make the respective isostructural amide COFs 1' and 2' by direct oxidation with retention of crystallinity and permanent porosity. Remarkably, the oxidation of both imine COFs is complete, as assessed by FT-IR and ¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy and demonstrates (a) the first chemical conversion of a COF linkage and (b) how the usual "crystallization problem" encountered in COF chemistry can be bypassed to access COFs, such as these amides, that are typically thought to be difficult to obtain by the usual de novo methods. The amide COFs show improved chemical stability relative to their imine progenitors.