2D sp2 Carbon-Conjugated Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Photocatalysis with TEMPO

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2020 Jun 2;59(23):9088-9093. doi: 10.1002/anie.202000723. Epub 2020 Mar 26.

Abstract

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are receiving ongoing attention in semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we present a photocatalytic selective chemical transformation by combining sp2 carbon-conjugated porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (Por-sp2 c-COF) photocatalysis with TEMPO catalysis illuminated by 623 nm red light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly selective conversion of amines into imines was swiftly afforded in minutes. Specifically, the π-conjugation of porphyrin linker leads to extensive absorption of red light; the sp2 -C=C- double bonds linkage ensures the stability of Por-sp2 c-COF under high concentrations of amine. Most importantly, we found that crystalline framework of Por-sp2 c-COF is pivotal for cooperative photocatalysis with (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). This work foreshadows that the outstanding hallmarks of COFs, particularly crystallinity, could be exploited to address energy and environmental challenges by cooperative photocatalysis.

Keywords: TEMPO; amine/imine conversion; cooperative photocatalysis; covalent organic frameworks; red LEDs.