Probing dynamic covalent chemistry in a 2D boroxine framework by in situ near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Nanoscale. 2023 Jan 19;15(3):1068-1075. doi: 10.1039/d2nr04949j.

Abstract

Dynamic covalent chemistry is a powerful approach to design covalent organic frameworks, where high crystallinity is achieved through reversible bond formation. Here, we exploit near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to elucidate the reversible formation of a two-dimensional boroxine framework. By in situ mapping the pressure-temperature parameter space, we identify the regions where the rates of the condensation and hydrolysis reactions become dominant, being the key to enable the thermodynamically controlled growth of crystalline frameworks.