Supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs): Homogeneous regular 2D and 3D pores in water

Jia Tian, Hui Wang, Dan Wei Zhang, Yi Liu, Zhan Ting Li*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article (Academic Journal)peer-review

119 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Studies on periodic porosity and related properties and functions have been limited to insoluble solid-state materials. Self-assembly provides a straightforward and efficient strategy for the construction of soluble periodic porous supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) in water from rationally designed molecular building blocks. From rigid tri- and tetra-armed building blocks and cucurbitu[8]ril (CB[8]), a number of two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb, square and rhombic SOFs can be generated, which is driven by CB[8]-encapsulation-enhanced dimerization of two aromatic units on the periphery of the multi-armed molecules. By utilizing the same three-component host-guest motif as the driving force, three-dimensional (3D) diamondoid and cubic SOFs can be obtained from tetrahedral and [Ru(bipy)3]2+-derived octahedral monomers and CB[8]. All of the 2D and 3D periodic frameworks are soluble in water, and are able to maintain the periodicity as well as the pore sizes in the solid state. 3D SOFs are highly efficient homogeneous polycationic frameworks for reversible adsorption of anionic species including organic dyes, peptides, nucleic acids, drugs, dendrimers and Wells-Dawson-typed polyoxametallates (WD-POMs). WD-POM molecules adsorbed in the [Ru(bipy)3]2+-based SOF can catalyse the reduction of proton to H2 upon visible-light sensitization of [Ru(bipy)3]2+, which allows multiple electron transfer from [Ru(bipy)3]2+ to WD-POM. This review summarizes the design, formation and characterization of this new family of self-assembled frameworks, highlights their applications as homogeneous porous materials and finally outlines some future research directions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)426-436
Number of pages11
JournalNational Science Review
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2017

Keywords

  • Adsorption
  • Porosity
  • Regularity
  • Supramolecular organic framework
  • Supramolecular polymer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs): Homogeneous regular 2D and 3D pores in water'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this