Full-Dimensional Differentiation and Pathway-Wide Transformation in a Homologous Covalent Organic Framework Family
Kaifu Yu1, Pan He1, Dong Zhang2
1College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 15, 2026
Summary
Researchers created homologous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) across one, two, and three dimensions, enabling full-dimensional transformations. The 1D COF demonstrated superior photocatalytic uranium reduction.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Precise dimensional control in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is crucial for reticular chemistry.
- Constructing and transforming homologous COFs across one-dimensional (1D), 2D, and 3D scales presents a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first construction of homologous COFs with full-dimensional differentiation.
- To achieve pathway-wide transformations within this homologous COF family.
- To investigate the photocatalytic properties of these full-dimensional COFs.
Main Methods:
- Careful selection of molecular building blocks to access full-dimensional topologies.
- Regulation of synthetic protocols to navigate distinct trapped states.
- Transformation experiments and theoretical calculations to elucidate the energy landscape.
Main Results:
- Successfully constructed three highly crystalline homologous COFs with unprecedented full-dimensional differentiation.
- Elucidated the energy landscape, revealing a 2D > 1D > 3D dimensional energy gradient.
- Achieved all thermodynamically permissible interdimensional transformations (2D-to-1D, 2D-to-3D, 1D-to-3D).
- 1D COF exhibited the longest exciton lifetime and most efficient photocatalytic uranium reduction.
Conclusions:
- Presents the first construction of full-dimensional homologous COFs and their interdimensional transformations.
- Provides strategic insights for designing high-performance COF-based photocatalysts.
- Highlights the potential of 1D COFs for advanced photocatalytic applications.
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