Volume 62, Issue 50 e202311601
Research Article

Ortho-Alkoxy-benzamide Directed Formation of a Single Crystalline Hydrogen-bonded Crosslinked Organic Framework and Its Boron Trifluoride Uptake and Catalysis

Fangzhou Li

Fangzhou Li

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA

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Dr. Errui Li

Dr. Errui Li

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA

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Dr. Krishanu Samanta

Dr. Krishanu Samanta

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA

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Zhaoxi Zheng

Zhaoxi Zheng

Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453 USA

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Dr. Lianqian Wu

Dr. Lianqian Wu

Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA

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Albert D. Chen

Albert D. Chen

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA

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Prof. Dr. Omar K. Farha

Prof. Dr. Omar K. Farha

Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA

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Dr. Richard J. Staples

Dr. Richard J. Staples

Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lancing, MI 48824 USA

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Prof. Dr. Jia Niu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Jia Niu

Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA

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Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt-Rohr

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt-Rohr

Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453 USA

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Prof. Dr. Chenfeng Ke

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Chenfeng Ke

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA

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First published: 23 October 2023
Citations: 10

Graphical Abstract

A single-crystalline ortho-alkoxy-benzamide directed hydrogen-bonded crosslinked organic framework (HCOF-50) has been synthesized for BF3 adsorption and demonstrates a record-high capacity of 14.2 mmol/g. The formed HCOF-50 ⋅ BF3 complex showed controlled BF3-releasing for more controlled cationic vinyl ether polymerization.

Abstract

Boron trifluoride (BF3) is a highly corrosive gas widely used in industry. Confining BF3 in porous materials ensures safe and convenient handling and prevents its degradation. Hence, it is highly desired to develop porous materials with high adsorption capacity, high stability, and resistance to BF3 corrosion. Herein, we designed and synthesized a Lewis basic single-crystalline hydrogen-bond crosslinked organic framework (HCOF-50) for BF3 storage and its application in catalysis. Specifically, we introduced self-complementary ortho-alkoxy-benzamide hydrogen-bonding moieties to direct the formation of highly organized hydrogen-bonded networks, which were subsequently photo-crosslinked to generate HCOFs. The HCOF-50 features Lewis basic thioether linkages and electron-rich pore surfaces for BF3 uptake. As a result, HCOF-50 shows a record-high 14.2 mmol/g BF3 uptake capacity. The BF3 uptake in HCOF-50 is reversible, leading to the slow release of BF3. We leveraged this property to reduce the undesirable chain transfer and termination in the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers. Polymers with higher molecular weights and lower polydispersity were generated compared to those synthesized using BF3 ⋅ Et2O. The elucidation of the structure–property relationship, as provided by the single-crystal X-ray structures, combined with the high BF3 uptake capacity and controlled sorption, highlights the molecular understanding of framework-guest interactions in addressing contemporary challenges.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in CCDC at https://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/, reference number 2260614.

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