Chemical sensing in two dimensional porous covalent organic nanosheets

Two new imide-based crystalline, porous, and chemically stable covalent organic frameworks (COFs) (TpBDH and TfpBDH) have been successfully synthesized employing solvothermal crystallization route. Furthermore, thin layered covalent organic nanosheets (CONs) were derived from these bulk COFs by the simple liquid phase exfoliation method. These 2D CONs showcase increased luminescence intensity compared to their bulk counterparts (COFs). Notably, TfpBDH-CONs showcase good selectivity and prominent, direct visual detection towards different nitroaromatic analytes over TpBDH-CONs. Quite interestingly, TfpBDH-CONs exhibit a superior “turn-on” detection capability for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in the solid state, but conversely, they also show a “turn-off” detection in the dispersion state. These findings describe a new approach towards developing an efficient, promising fluorescence chemosensor material for both visual and spectroscopic detection of nitroaromatic compounds with very low [10^–5 (M)] analyte concentrations.     

Hierarchical Microtubular Covalent Organic Frameworks Achieved by COF-to-COF Transformation

Pore environment and aggregated structure play a vital role in determining the properties of porous materials, especially regarding the mass transfer. Reticular chemistry imparts covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with well-aligned micro/mesopores, yet constructing hierarchical architectures remains a great challenge. Herein, we reported a COF-to-COF transformation methodology to prepare microtubular COFs. In this process, the C₃-symmetric guanidine units decomposed into C₂-symmetric hydrazine units, leading to the crystal transformation of COFs. Moreover, the aggregated structure and conversion degree varied with the reaction time, where the hollow tubular aggregates composed of mixed COF crystals could be obtained. Such hierarchical architecture leads to enhanced mass transfer properties, as proved by the adsorption measurement and chemical catalytic reactions. This self-template strategy was successfully applied to another four COFs with different building units.     

A novel resorufin based fluorescent “turn-on” probe for the selective detection of hydrazine and application in living cells

In this study, a resorufin derivative RTP-1, which is a novel fluorescent ‘‘turn-on' probe for sensitive detection of hydrazine within 30 min, is designed and synthesized. The selective deprotection of the ester group of the probe by hydrazine led to a prominent enhancement of fluorescent intensity, as well as a remarkable color change from colorless to pink, which could be distinguished by naked eye. The fluorescence enhancement showed decent linear relationship with hydrazine concentration ranging from 0 to 50 mmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.84 mmol/L. The specificity of RTP-1 for hydrazine to a number of metal ions, anions and amines is satisfactory. The sensing mechanism of RTP-1 and hydrazine was evaluated by HPLC, ESI mass spectrometry and density functional theory(DFT).Moreover, we have utilized this fluorescent probe for imaging hydrazine in living cells, and the fluorescence was clearly observed when the cells were incubated with hydrazine(100 mmol/L) for 30 min.     

Reaction-based fluorescent probe for detecting of sulfur dioxide derivatives and hydrazine via distinct emission signals

Recently, the construction of multiple analytes responsive fluorescent probes with distinct emission signals has attracted widely attention. Thus, we have designed and synthesized a new fluorescent probe, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole dye skeleton (HBT-1), for the detection of sulfur dioxide and hydrazine. Significant fluorescence enhancements in two distinct emission bands (λ_em?=?464?nm and 498?nm) were generated when HBT-1 reacted with sulfur dioxide derivatives or hydrazine, respectively. Furthermore, the probe HBT-1 response can be saturated surpurisingly at the low concentration (100?μM), shorter reaction time for sulfur dioxide derivatives, while a longer reaction time and greater concentration (400?μM) for hydrazine. In other words, the probe HBT-1 can detect sulfur dioxide derivatives without hydrazine interference at low analyte concentrations.     

Bromine-Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) enable precise integration of various organic building blocks into porous skeletons through topology predesign. Here, we report the first example of COFs by integrating electron withdrawing bromine group onto the skeletons for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG). The resulting framework exhibits high surface area and good crystallinity. Thus, the bromine functionalized COF has more regular aligned π columns and arrays over the skeleton than bare COFs, which in turn significantly enhances charge transport ability. As a result, bromine functionalized COFs showed higher electrical output performance at 5 Hz with a peak value of short circuit current density of 43.6 μA and output voltage of 416 V, which is 2 and 1.3 times higher than those of bare COFs (21.6 μA and 318 V), respectively. These results demonstrated that this strategy for engineering electron withdrawing groups on the skeleton could open a new aspect of COFs for developing TENG devices.     

Crystallinity and stability of covalent organic frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs) are a class of organic porous polymers with high crystallinity, and their structures can be precisely tailored via topology design. Owing to the characteristics of permanent pores, periodic structures and rich building blocks, COFs have triggered tremendous attention in the past fifteen years and are extensively investigated in various fields.Crystallinity and stability are two crucial features for practical applications. In general, these two features are contradictory for COFs formed via dynamic covalent chemistry(DCC). High thermodynamic reversibility is usually required to attain exceptional crystallinity of COFs, often resulting in limited stability. The first two reported COFs are based on the boroxine and boronate ester linkages, which are unstable in water and even in humid conditions. Therefore, many researchers doubt the stability of COFs for real applications. Actually, in these years, various novel linkages have been developed for the construction of COFs,and numerous newly synthesized COFs are robust towards strong acid/base and even some of them can resist the attack of strong oxidizing and reducing agents. In this review, we focus on the linkage chemistry of the COFs in terms of crystallinity and stability, further extending it to the investigation in the mechanisms of the crystal growth and the overall regulation of the contradiction between stability and crystallinity. The strategies for improving the crystallinity, including selecting building units,introducing non-covalent interactions and slowing nucleation and growth rate, are described in the third section, while the methodologies for increasing the stability from the viewpoints of chemical modification and non-covalent interactions are summarized in the fourth section. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are presented.     

In situ growth of polydopamine on surface of covalent organic frameworks under the catalysis of acid phosphatase for dopamine detection

Dopamine (DA) is easy to be oxidized and polymerizes to form polydopamine (pDA) in alkaline conditions, while the synthesis is usually time-consuming (48 h). Herein, the polymerization of DA is completed with 4 h under the catalysis of acid phosphatase (ACP). The high efficiency makes the detection of DA feasibility based on the self-polymerization of DA. In this assay, pDA is grown in situ on the surface of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and then the fluorescence of COFs is quenched significantly. The linear range of DA is achieved from 0.5–50 μmol/L with a detection limit of 0.16 μmol/L. The detection of DA is not interfered with uric acid, ascorbic acid, and some phenolic compounds, because these substances cannot polymerize in the presence of ACP. Moreover, benefiting from the good sensitivity and selectivity, DA has been successfully determined by this strategy in human urine samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

Strategies for Improving the Catalytic Performance of 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks for Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have been deemed as clean and sustainable strategies to solve the energy crisis and environmental problems. Various catalysts have been developed to promote the process of HER and OER. Among them, two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) have received great attention due to their diverse and designable structure. In this minireview, we mainly summarize the diverse linkages of 2D COFs and strategies for enhancing the catalytic performance of 2D COFs for HER and OER, such as introducing active building blocks, metal ions and tailored linkages. Furthermore, a brief outlook for the development directions of COFs in the field of HER and OER is provided, expecting to stimulate new opportunities in future research.     

Cobaloxime-Integrated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Coupled with Alcohol Oxidation

We report an azide-functionalized cobaloxime proton-reduction catalyst covalently tethered into the Wurster-type covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The cobaloxime-modified COF photocatalysts exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alcohol-containing solution with no presence of a typical sacrificial agent. The best performing cobaloxime-modified COF hybrid catalyzes hydrogen production with an average HER rate up to 38 μmol h⁻¹ in ethanol/phosphate buffer solution under 4 h illumination. Ultrafast transient optical spectroscopy characterizations and charge carrier analysis reveal that the alcohol contents functioning as hole scavengers could be oxidized by the photogenerated holes of COFs to form aldehydes and protons. The consumption of the photogenerated holes thus suppresses exciton recombination of COFs and improves the ratio of free electrons that were effectively utilized to drive catalytic reaction for HER. This work demonstrates a great potential of COF-catalyzed HER using alcohol solvents as hole scavengers and provides an example toward realizing the accessibility to the scope of reaction conditions and a greener route for energy conversion.     

Design of a Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor Based on Ferrocene-reduced Graphene Oxide/Mn-spinel for Hydrazine Detection

Herein, we report construction of a ferrocene-reduced graphene oxide-Mn spinel modified glassy carbon electrode (Fc−G/Mn₃O₄/GCE) as a sensitive electrochemical probe for hydrazine detection via its oxidation. The synergistic effect of ferrocene, graphene oxide and Mn₃O₄ provides it a great electrocatalytic effect. The electrochemical investigations of Fc−G/Mn₃O₄/GCE were studied using cyclic voltammetry, while differential pulse voltammetry was utilized for recording the electrocatalytic sensing of hydrazine. The prepared Fc−G/Mn₃O₄ offers a platform for sensitive and selective detection of low-level hydrazine in two linear ranges from 0.045 to 108 μM and 108 to 653 μM with limit of detection 8.5 nM. Real sample analysis was also performed in local industrial water samples with satisfactory recovery results.     

Thiophene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks: Synthesis,Photophysics and Light-Driven Applications

Porous crystalline materials, such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have emerged as some of the most important materials over the last two decades due to their excellent physicochemical properties such as their large surface area and permanent, accessible porosity. On the other hand, thiophene derivatives are common versatile scaffolds in organic chemistry. Their outstanding electrical properties have boosted their use in different light-driven applications (photocatalysis, organic thin film transistors, photoelectrodes, organic photovoltaics, etc.), attracting much attention in the research community. Despite the great potential of both systems, porous COF materials based on thiophene monomers are scarce due to the inappropriate angle provided by the latter, which hinders its use as the building block of the former. To circumvent this drawback, researchers have engineered a number of thiophene derivatives that can form part of the COFs structure, while keeping their intrinsic properties. Hence, in the present minireview, we will disclose some of the most relevant thiophene-based COFs, highlighting their basic components (building units), spectroscopic properties and potential light-driven applications.     

Recent advances in metal‐organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks for sample preparation and chromatographic analysis

In the field of analytical chemistry, sample preparation and chromatographic separation are two core procedures. The means by which to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and detection limit of a method have become a topic of great interest. Recently, porous organic frameworks, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been widely used in this research area because of their special features, and different methods have been developed. This review summarizes the applications of MOFs and COFs in sample preparation and chromatographic stationary phases. The MOF‐ or COF‐based solid‐phase extraction (SPE), solid‐phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography (GC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) methods are described. The excellent properties of MOFs and COFs have resulted in intense interest in exploring their performance and mechanisms for sample preparation and chromatographic separation.     

Synthesis of Vinylene-Linked Thiopyrylium-, Pyrylium-, and Pyridinium-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks by Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Condensation

The development of new vinylene-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with special ionic structure and high stability is challenging. Herein, we report a facile, general method for constructing ionic vinylene-linked thiopyrylium-based COFs from 2,4,6-trimethylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate and other common reagents by means of acid-catalyzed Aldol condensation. Besides, pyrylium-, and pyridinium-based COFs also can be prepared from the same monomer under slightly different reaction conditions. The COFs exhibited uniform nanofibrous morphologies with excellent crystallinities, special ionic structures, well-defined nanochannels, and high specific surface areas.     

一种检测水合肼荧光探针的合成与应用

基于香豆素类染料,设计合成了一种具有较高选择性和灵敏度,可在生理条件(pH 7.4)下检测水合肼的荧光探针,同时利用核磁共振和高分辨质谱对探针的分子结构进行了表征。基于水合肼进攻探针分子结构中的4-丁酸酯,生成酚氧负离子,同时发生分子内环化反应后生成具有强烈荧光的亚胺香豆素,实现了探针分子对水合肼的检测。光谱学研究表明,当向探针溶液加入水合肼(0~100μmol/L)后,探针溶液在绿色光谱区域(502 nm)呈现一个显著的荧光增强响应(增强至55倍)。并且,探针可以检测相对较低浓度的水合肼,检出限为1.7×10~(-7)mol/L。此外,相对于其他阴离子和亲核试剂,探针对水合肼的识别显示出较高的选择性和灵敏度。探针成功实现了细胞内水合肼的荧光成像,证明其在细胞成像中具有潜在的应用能力。     

Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Organic Transformation

Photocatalytic organic transformation is an efficient, energysaving and environmentally friendly strategy for organic synthesis. The key to developing a green and economical route for photocatalytic organic synthesis lies in the construction of optimal photocatalysts. Covalent organic frameworks(COFs), a kind of porous crystalline materials with characteristics of high surface area, excellent porosity, and superior thermo-chemical stability, have driven people to explore their potential as photocatalysts in photocatalytic organic transformations by virtue of their structural versatility and designability. Furthermore, the insolubility of COFs makes it possible to recycle the catalysts by simple technical means. In recent years, researchers have made great efforts to develop both the design strategies of COFs as heterogeneous photocatalysts and the reaction types of photocatalytic organic transformations. In this review, we focus on the design of COF-based photocatalytic materials and analyze the influence factors of photocatalytic performance. Moreover, we summarize the application of COFbased photocatalysts in photocatalytic organic conversion. Finally, the perspectives on new opportunities and challenges in the field are discussed.     

Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks: Tessellation by Synthetic Art

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs) featuring designable nanoporous structures exhibit many fascinating properties and have attracted great attention in recent years for their intriguing application potential in sensing, catalysis, gas storage and separation, optoelectronics, etc. Rational design of twodimensional(2D) COFs through judiciously selecting chemical building blocks is critical to acquiring predetermined skeleton and pore structures. In this perspective, we review the reticular synthesis of 2D COFs with different topologies, highlighting the important role of various characterization techniques in crystal structure determination. 2D COFs with simple tessellations have been widely investigated, while the synthesis of complex tessellated COFs is still a great challenge. Some recent examples of 2D COFs with novel topological structures are also surveyed.     

Electrode Modification through Click Chemistry Using Ni and Co Alkyne Phthalocyanines for Electrocatalytic Detection of Hydrazine

This work reports on the development of sensors for the detection of hydrazine using glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with phthalocyanines through click chemistry. Tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy) cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (complex 2 ) and tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy) nickel(II) phthalocyanine (complex 3 ) were employed as electrode modifiers for hydrazine detection. The GCE was first grafted via the in situ diazotization of a diazonium salt, rendering the GCE surface layered with azide groups. From this point, the 1, 3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction, catalysed by a copper catalyst was utilised to “click” the phthalocyanines to the surface of the grafted GCE. The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The electrografted CoP 2 ‐clicked‐GCE and NiP 3 ‐clicked‐GCE exhibited electrocatalytic activity towards the detection of hydrazine. The limit of detection (LoD) for the CoPc‐GCE was 6.09 μM, while the NiPc‐GCE had a LoD of 8.69 μM. The sensitivity was 51.32 μA mM⁻¹ for the CoPc‐GCE and 111.2 μA mM⁻¹ for the NiPc‐GCE.     

The determination of hydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine,separately or in mixtures,by high-pressure liquid chromatography

A rapid, sensitive liquid chromatographic method for the determination of hydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, separately or in mixtures of varying proportions, is described. The procedure involves salicylaldehyde derivative formation followed by chromatography on a reversed phase (octadecylsilane) column with acetonitrile (52%)—0.14 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate (48%) as a mobile phase and u.v. (254 nm) detection. This system is sensitive to 2 μg ml^-1 of hydrazine and 5 μg ml^-1 of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and has a relative standard deviation of less than 1%. Monomethylhydrazine forms an unstable salicylaldehyde hydrazone; although it cannot be determined, it can be detected (sensitivity 5 μg ml^-1 ) and does not interfere with quantitative measurement of either hydrazine or 1,1-dimethylhydrazine.     

Recent Advances of Covalent Organic Frameworks in Chemical Sensing

With the rapid development of reticular chemistry, an increasing number of covalent organic frameworks(COFs) have been designed and synthesized over the past decades. Owing to the large surface areas, numerous active sites, and high chemical stability, recent effects gradually were made to investigate the interaction with various small molecules. Among the reported application areas, sensorics is an attractive field, where COFs have exhibited tremendous potential and acquired high- performance sensitivity and selectivity due to their structural merits. In this review, we highlighted the recent progress of COFs as sensors for the detection of various analytes, mainly depending on the analysis of change of fluorescence signals. The basic principles of physics for fluorescence-based sensors were briefly discussed for better understanding of the relationship between structures and functions of COFs. Moreover, we reviewed various classes of small molecule analytes that have been successfully detected by COFs, including explosives, gases, humidity, metal ions, pH, and biological molecules. In this work, we detailedly discussed the components of COFs, functional sites, and sensing performance in each sensing application, aiming to disclose their intrinsic connection. This review also concluded with several issues to be solved and provided the outlook for the future development direction for practical applications.     

共价有机框架材料在光催化领域中的应用

共价有机框架(COFs)材料是有机构筑基元通过共价键连接而形成的晶态有机多孔材料. COFs具有孔道结构规整、 及比表面积高等特点, 被广泛地应用于气体储存与分离、 催化、 传感、 储能及光电转化等领域. 将具有可调吸光能力的有机构筑基元引入到COFs中, 可使其展现出强大的光催化潜力. 近年来, COFs在光催化领域中发展迅猛. 本文总结了COFs在光催化产氢、 光催化二氧化碳还原、 光催化有机反应以及光催化污染物降解等方面的研究进展, 并展望了其在光催化领域的应用前景.