Chemical functionalization or docking of transition-metal ions in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is of importance for calibrating properties and widening potential applications. In this work, we demonstrate the successful decoration of COF with vanadium as exemplified in the context of post-synthetically modifying two-dimensional COF that features eclipsed stacking structure, large pores, hydroxyl functionalities, high thermal and chemical stability using vanadyl acetylacetonate. The potent catalytic behavior of vanadium-decorated COF was systematically investigated in the reactions of Prins condensation and sulfide oxidation, which revealed its excellent catalytic performances in terms of efficacious activity, preservation of framework crystallinity and reusability. Our work not only contributes the first ever report of vanadium-decorated COF-catalyzed Prins reaction and sulfide oxidation but paves a new way for docking COF with metals for a broad range of applications.
Keywords: Prins reaction; covalent organic frameworks; heterogeneous catalysis; postsynthetic modification; sulfide oxidation.