Functional Covalent Organic Frameworks' Microspheres Synthesized by Self-Limited Dynamic Linker Exchange for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising for liquid chromatography stationary phases.
• Synthesizing uniform, functionalized COF microspheres is challenging due to morphology control issues during functionalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile and universal strategy for surface functionalization of uniform COF microspheres.
• To create a diverse library of COF-based stationary phases for liquid chromatography.
• To demonstrate the application of functionalized COFs in chiral chromatography.

Main Methods:

• A "self-limited dynamic linker exchange" strategy was employed for COF microsphere surface functionalization.
• Six distinct types of COF microspheres were synthesized to showcase the method's versatility.
• The mechanism was investigated by analyzing the balance between reaction thermodynamics and diffusion energy barriers.

Main Results:

• The developed strategy successfully achieved surface functionalization of uniform COF microspheres while preserving their morphology.
• A library of six COF microsphere stationary phases was created, demonstrating the strategy's universality.
• Chiral functional COF microspheres were successfully applied as stationary phases for effective enantioseparation in chiral chromatography.

Conclusions:

• The "self-limited dynamic linker exchange" strategy provides a robust and versatile approach for synthesizing functionalized COF microspheres.
• This method significantly expands the potential of COFs as advanced stationary phases in chromatography.
• The ability to create tailored COF stationary phases, including chiral ones, opens new avenues for separation science.