Vinylene-Linked 2D Conjugated Covalent Organic Frameworks by Wittig Reactions

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2022 Dec 5;61(49):e202209762. doi: 10.1002/anie.202209762. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

Abstract

Vinylene-linked two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (V-2D-COFs) have shown great promise in electronics and optoelectronics. However, only a few reactions for V-2D-COFs have been developed hitherto. Besides the kinetically low reversibility of C=C bond formation, another underlying issue facing the synthesis of V-2D-COFs is the attainment of high (E)-alkene selectivity to ensure the appropriate symmetry of 2D frameworks. Here, we tailor the E/Z selectivity of the Wittig reaction by employing a proper catalyst (i.e., Cs2 CO3 ) to obtain more stable intermediates and elevating the temperature across the reaction barrier. Subsequently, the Wittig reaction is innovatively utilized for the synthesis of four crystalline V-2D-COFs by combining aldehydes and ylides. Importantly, the efficient conjugation and decent crystallinity of the resultant V-2D-COFs are demonstrated by their high charge carrier mobilities over 10 cm2 V-1 s-1 , as revealed by non-contact terahertz (THz) spectroscopy.

Keywords: 2D Conjugated Polymer; Terahertz; Two-Dimensional Organic Framework; Vinylene-Linkage; Wittig Reaction.