No abstract

We present a family of covalent organic frameworks that have been functionalized with oligo-(ethylene oxide) chains of varying lengths. Because of the open structure of the COFs, the side chains do not interfere with their crystallization obtaining materials with predictable crystal structure. The difference in length of the side-chains allowed for the determination of amphidynamic behaviour with the use of 13C solid-state NMR relaxation methods. Computational calculations further contribute to understanding the atomistic dynamic behaviour of the different atoms. This study demonstrates the ability to design complex behaviour in organic crystals.

The RESPDOR NMR method rapidly provides multiple 13C/14N distance measurements in natural abundance solids. In this study, 13C/14N RESPDOR information is shown, for the first time, to provide accurate molecular conformation and to locate non-bonded neighboring molecules.

Since its initial synthesis in 2005, COF-5 has been known to have intrinsic disorder in the placement of the 2D layers relative to one another (i.e. turbostratic disorder). Prior studies of have demonstrated that the eclipsed layering found in the space group originally assigned to COF-5 (<i>P</i>6<i>/mmm</i>) is inconsistent with energy considerations. Herein it is demonstrated that eclipsed layers are also inconsistent with¹³C solid-state NMR data. Crystal structure predictions are made in five alternative space groups and good agreement is obtained in <i>P</i>21<i>/m</i>, <i>Cmcm</i>, and <i>C</i>2<i>/m</i>. We posit that all three space groups are present within the stacked 2D layers and show that this conclusion is consistent with evidence from ¹³C solid-state NMR linewidths and chemical shifts, powder x-ray diffraction data and energy considerations. An alternative explanation involving a mixture of multiple pure phases is rejected because the observed NMR spectra don’t exhibit the characteristic features of such mixed phase materials.