The library of imine-linked covalent organic frameworks
(COFs)
has grown significantly over the last two decades, featuring a variety
of morphologies, pore sizes, and applications. An array of synthetic
methods has been developed to expand the scope of the COF functionalities;
however, most of these methods were designed to introduce functional
scaffolds tailored to a specific application. Having a general approach
to diversify COFs via late-stage incorporation of functional group
handles would greatly facilitate the transformation of these materials
into platforms for a variety of useful applications. Herein, we report
a general strategy to introduce functional group handles in COFs via
the Ugi multicomponent reaction. To demonstrate the versatility of
this approach, we have synthesized two COFs with hexagonal and kagome
morphologies. We then introduced azide, alkyne, and vinyl functional
groups, which could be readily utilized for a variety of post-synthetic
modifications. This facile approach enables the functionalization
of any COFs containing imine linkages.
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