Sonochemical synthesis of robust covalent organic frameworks via one-pot Doebner reactions in aqueous media

Abstract

Here, we report a facile and sustainable strategy for converting imine linkages to dihydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid linkages without compromising the framework integrity. One-pot aqueous-phase three-component Doebner reactions of aromatic dialdehydes, pyrene-based tetraamine, and pyruvic acid under ultrasonic irradiation afford highly crystalline COFs. The resulting functionalized COFs can promote photocatalytic aerobic oxidation.