Microporous polyboronate esters

PMSE 65

R. William Tilford, tilford@mail.chem.sc.edu, William R. Gemmill, Sam J. Mugavero, Hans-Conrad zur Loyte, and John J. Lavigne. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208
A Covalent Organic Framework (COF-18Ǻ) based on poly(boronate ester)s has been synthesized through a facile dehydration process in greater than 95% yield. Spectroscopic characterization confirms formation of the intended ester linkages as the key structural motif forming infinite 2D hexagonally porous sheets. Powder X-ray diffraction studies were used to determine the stacking orientation between the ester linked sheets, such that atoms in adjacent layers lie directly over each other resulting in a hexagonal array of 1D, 18 nm pores. COF-18Ǻ exhibits rigid, thermally stable (to 500 oC) pores with high surface area (1260 m2/g). The parent network was also functionalized with alkyl substituents as well as carboxylic acids by the prepolymerization functionalization of the bis-diol linker 1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene.