Chirality Transfer from Covalent Organic Framework Nanotubes to Covalent Organic Framework Films via Chirality
Saikat Bag1,2, Debasmita Chatterjee1, Rohan Mahapatra1,2
1Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|March 18, 2026
Summary
Researchers created homochiral crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) films for asymmetric catalysis. These enantiopure films, synthesized using chiral induction, show promise for advanced catalytic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer tunable properties for various applications.
- Heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis requires chiral materials with high enantioselectivity.
- Developing enantiopure COF films remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize homochiral crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) films.
- To explore their potential in heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis.
- To demonstrate the utility of these films in enantioselective reactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a chiral induction crystallization strategy with achiral precursors.
- Employed (R)- and (S)-camphorsulfonic acids (CSA) to catalyze Schiff-base reactions.
- Synthesized six distinct COF films (R-, S-TpAzo; R-, S-TpDPP; R-, S-TpBDMe2).
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared enantiopure COF films with induced chirality.
- Confirmed enantiopurity through circular dichroism and Cotton effects.
- R- and S-TpAzo films showed high crystallinity, order, and porosity.
- Encapsulated a bioinspired catalyst within chiral COF channels for asymmetric epoxidation.
Conclusions:
- Homochiral crystalline COF films can be synthesized using chiral induction.
- These films serve as effective platforms for heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis.
- The developed catalytic system achieved excellent activity and enantioselectivity.
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