A General Synthesis of Nanostructured Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks from Insulating MOF Precursors for Supercapacitors and Chemiresistive Sensors.

Two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) are emerging as a unique subclass of layer-stacked crystalline coordination polymers that simultaneously possess porous and conductive properties, and have broad application potential in energy and electronic devices. However, to make the best use of the intrinsic electronic properties and structural features of 2D c-MOFs, the controlled synthesis of hierarchically nanostructured 2D c-MOFs with high crystallinity and customized morphologies is essential, which remains a great challenge. Herein, we present a template strategy to synthesize a library of 2D c-MOFs with controlled morphologies and dimensions via insulating MOFs-to-c-MOFs transformations. The resultant hierarchically nanostructured 2D c-MOFs feature intrinsic electrical conductivity and higher surface areas than the reported bulk-type 2D c-MOFs, which are beneficial for improved access to active sites and enhanced mass transport. As proof-of-concept applications, the hierarchically nanostructured 2D c-MOFs exhibit a superior performance for electrical properties related applications (hollow Cu-BHT nanocubes-based supercapacitor and Cu-HHB nanoflowers-based chemiresistive gas sensor), achieving over 225 % and 250 % improvement in specific capacity and response intensity over the corresponding bulk type c-MOFs, respectively.

Carbon-Carbon Linked Organic Frameworks: An Explicit Summary and Analysis.

Organic frameworks with carbon-carbon (CC) linkage are an important class of materials owing to their outstanding chemical stability and extended π-electron delocalization resulting in unique optoelectronic properties. In the first part of this review article, the design principles for the bottom-up synthesis of 2D and 3D sp/sp2 CC linked organic frameworks are summarized. Representative reaction methodologies, such as Knoevenagel condensation, Aldol condensation, Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, Wittig reaction, and coupling reactions (Ullmann, Suzuki, Heck, Yamamoto, etc.) are included. This is discussed in the context of their reaction mechanism, reaction dynamics, and whether and why resulting in an amorphous or crystalline product. This is followed by a discussion of different state-of-the art bottom-up synthesis methodologies, like solvothermal, interfacial, and solid-state synthesis. In the second part, the structure-property relationships in CC linked organic frameworks with representative examples of organocatalysis, photo(electro)catalysis, energy storage and conversion, magnetism, and molecular storage and separation are analyzed. The importance of linkage type, building blocks, topology, and crystallinity of the framework material in connection with the structure-property relationship is highlighted. Finally, brief concluding remarks are presented based on the key development of bottom-up synthetic methods and provide perspectives for future development in this field.

Redox-Bipolar Polyimide Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Cathodes for Durable Aluminium Batteries.

Emerging rechargeable aluminium batteries (RABs) offer a sustainable option for next-generation energy storage technologies with low cost and exemplary safety. However, the development of RABs is restricted by the limited availability of high-performance cathode materials. Herein, we report two polyimide two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs) cathodes with redox-bipolar capability in RAB. The optimal 2D-COF electrode achieves a high specific capacity of 132 mAh g-1 . Notably, the electrode presents long-term cycling stability (with a negligible ≈0.0007 % capacity decay per cycle), outperforming early reported organic RAB cathodes. 2D-COFs integrate n-type imide and p-type triazine active centres into the periodic porous polymer skeleton. With multiple characterizations, we elucidate the unique Faradaic reaction of the 2D-COF electrode, which involves AlCl2+ and AlCl4 - dual-ions as charge carriers. This work paves the avenue toward novel organic cathodes in RABs.

A High-Rate Two-Dimensional Polyarylimide Covalent Organic Framework Anode for Aqueous Zn-Ion Energy Storage Devices.

Rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion energy storage devices are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage technologies. However, the lack of highly reversible Zn2+-storage anode materials with low potential windows remains a primary concern. Here, we report a two-dimensional polyarylimide covalent organic framework (PI-COF) anode with high-kinetics Zn2+-storage capability. The well-organized pore channels of PI-COF allow the high accessibility of the build-in redox-active carbonyl groups and efficient ion diffusion with a low energy barrier. The constructed PI-COF anode exhibits a specific capacity (332 C g-1 or 92 mAh g-1 at 0.7 A g-1), a high rate capability (79.8% at 7 A g-1), and a long cycle life (85% over 4000 cycles). In situ Raman investigation and first-principle calculations clarify the two-step Zn2+-storage mechanism, in which imide carbonyl groups reversibly form negatively charged enolates. Dendrite-free full Zn-ion devices are fabricated by coupling PI-COF anodes with MnO2 cathodes, delivering excellent energy densities (23.9 ∼ 66.5 Wh kg-1) and supercapacitor-level power densities (133 ∼ 4782 W kg-1). This study demonstrates the feasibility of covalent organic framework as Zn2+-storage anodes and shows a promising prospect for constructing reliable aqueous energy storage devices.

Fully sp2 -Carbon-Linked Crystalline Two-Dimensional Conjugated Polymers: Insight into 2D Poly(phenylenecyanovinylene) Formation and its Optoelectronic Properties.

Cyano-substituted polyphenylene vinylenes (PPVs) have been the focus of research for several decades owing to their interesting optoelectronic properties and potential applications in organic electronics. With the advent of organic two-dimensional (2D) crystals, the question arose as to how the chemical and optoelectronic advantages of PPVs evolve in 2D compared with their linear counterparts. In this work, we present the efficient synthesis of two novel 2D fully sp2 -carbon-linked crystalline PPVs and investigate the essentiality of inorganic bases for their catalytic formation. Notably, among all bases screened, cesium carbonate (Cs2 CO3 ) plays a crucial role and enables reversibility in the first step with subsequent structure locking by formation of a C=C double bond to maintain crystallinity, which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A quantifiable energy diagram of a "quasi-reversible reaction" is proposed, which allows the identification of further suitable C-C bond formation reactions for 2D polymerizations. Moreover, the narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap is delineated by expanding the conjugation into two dimensions. To enable environmentally benign processing, the post-modification of 2D PPVs is further performed, which renders stable dispersions in the aqueous phase.

Nonlinear Optical Switching in Regioregular Porphyrin Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered immense scientific interest among porous materials because of their structural tunability and diverse properties. However, the response of such materials toward laser-induced nonlinear optical (NLO) applications is hardly understood and demands prompt attention. Three novel regioregular porphyrin (Por)-based porous COFs-Por-COF-HH and its dual metalated congeners Por-COF-ZnCu and Por-COF-ZnNi-have been prepared and present excellent NLO properties. Notably, intensity-dependent NLO switching behavior was observed for these Por-COFs, which is highly desirable for optical switching and optical limiting devices. Moreover, the efficient π-conjugation and charge-transfer transition in ZnCu-Por-COF enabled a high nonlinear absorption coefficient (ß=4470 cm/GW) and figure of merit (FOM=σ1 /σo , 3565) value compared to other state-of-the-art materials, including molecular porphyrins (ß≈100-400 cm/GW), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs; ß≈0.3-0.5 cm/GW), and graphene (ß=900 cm/GW).

Exploration of Thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole Linkages in Conjugated Porous Organic Polymers for Chemoselective Molecular Sieving.

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have attracted significant attention towards molecular adsorption in recent years due to their high porosity, diverse functionality and excellent chemical stability. In this work, we present a systematic case study on the formation of thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TzTz) linkages through model compounds and its integration to synthesize a set of three novel, thermo-chemically stable TzTz-linked POPs, namely TzTz-POP-3, TzTz-POP-4, and TzTz-POP-5 with triphenylbenzene, tetraphenylpyrene and tetra(hydroxyphenyl)methane cores, respectively. Interestingly, the integrated TzTz moiety of the represented TzTz-POP-3 renders chemoselective removal of organic dye fluorescein (FL) from a mixture with parafuchsine (FU) in aqueous solution. The TzTz-POP-3 offered excellent chemoselectivity of ≈1:7 (FL:FU), compared to alike porous materials demonstrated for similar applications due to the presence of multiple active anchoring sites coupled with permanent porosity and appropriate pore window.

Immobilizing Molecular Metal Dithiolene-Diamine Complexes on 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic H2 Production.

Carbon electrocatalysts consisting of metal complexes such as MNx or MSx are promising alternatives to high-cost Pt catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the exact HER active sites remain elusive. Here, molecular metal dithiolene-diamine (MS2 N2 , M=Co and Ni), metal bis(dithiolene) (MS4 ), and metal bis(diamine) (MN4 ) complexes were selectively incorporated into carbon-rich 2D metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) as model carbon electrocatalysts. The 2D MOF single layers, powders, and composites with graphene were thus prepared and showed definite active sites for H2 generation. The electrocatalytic HER activity of the 2D MOF-based catalysts with different metal complexes follow the order of MS2 N2 >MN4 >MS4 . Moreover, the protonation preferentially occurred on the metal atoms, and the concomitant heterolytic elimination of H2 was favored on the M-N units in the MS2 N2 active centers. The results provide an in-depth understanding of the catalytic active sites, thus making way for the future development of metal complexes in carbon-rich electrode materials for energy generation.

Single-particle to single-particle transformation of an active type organic µ-tubular homo-structure photonic resonator into a passive type hetero-structure resonator.

Self-assembled hexagonal organic submicrotubes, upon electronic excitation with an UV laser, display an active type polarized whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonance in the visible (Vis) range (400-600 nm). Due to the photonic cavity effect the tubes show fluorescence (FL) signal intensity 5× greater than the corresponding powder state. Furthermore, the same tubes, which are passive to a visible laser, produce yellow-orange emitting carbonaceous lumps when burnt with an intense laser beam (42 mW) forming a chemically binary heterogeneous structure. The hetero-structure upon excitation with a visible laser at the passive tubular part showed emission in the Vis-Near infrared (NIR) range (500-800 nm) with WGMs thus producing a passive/active type hetero-structure photonic resonator.

Fabrication of high-resolution 4,8(2) -type archimedean nanolattices composed of solution processable spin cross-over Fe(II) metallosupramolecular polymers.

This paper presents the synthesis of two highly soluble Fe(II) metallosupramolecular polymers with two counter anions from a novel back-to-back coupled hybrid ligand. The spin cross-over (SCO) temperature of polymers with BF4 and ClO4 counter anions is T1/2 = 313 K and T1/2 = 326 K, respectively. By following the top-down approach, one of the polymers (with ClO4 counter anion) is successfully solution processed using a lithographically controlled wetting technique to create laser readable high-resolution Archimedean (4,8(2) ) nanolattices (consist of diamagnetic octagons and SCO squares). The thickness and top area of each SCO square are ≈75 nm and ≈2 × 2 µm(2) , respectively.

"Click-Fluors": synthesis of a family of pi-conjugated fluorescent back-to-back coupled 2,6-bis(triazol-1-yl)pyridines and their self-assembly studies.

This paper presents an eight-step synthetic method for the preparation of a series of new back-to-back coupled 2,6-bis(triazol-1-yl)pyridine (btp) molecules (L1-L3). These L1-L3 molecules displayed fluorescent emission at 381, 381, and 457 nm, respectively. We also demonstrated the self-assembly of these fluorescent molecules with Eu(3+) ions to obtain Eu(3+) centered red-orange luminescent solids via "antenna effect".

A Crystalline, 2D Polyarylimide Cathode for Ultrastable and Ultrafast Li Storage.

Organic electrode materials are of long-standing interest for next-generation sustainable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As a promising cathode candidate, imide compounds have attracted extensive attention due to their low cost, high theoretical capacity, high working voltage, and fast redox reaction. However, the redox active site utilization of imide electrodes remains challenging for them to fulfill their potential applications. Herein, the synthesis of a highly stable, crystalline 2D polyarylimide (2D-PAI) integrated with carbon nanotube (CNT) is demonstrated for the use as cathode material in LIBs. The synthesized polyarylimide hybrid (2D-PAI@CNT) is featured with abundant π-conjugated redox-active naphthalene diimide units, a robust cyclic imide linkage, high surface area, and well-defined accessible pores, which render the efficient utilization of redox active sites (82.9%), excellent structural stability, and fast ion diffusion. As a consequence, high rate capability and ultrastable cycle stability (100% capacity retention after 8000 cycles) are achieved in the 2D-PAI@CNT cathode, which far exceeds the state-of-the-art polyimide electrodes. This work may inspire the development of novel organic electrodes for sustainable and durable rechargeable batteries.

Planar active organic waveguide and wavelength filter: self-assembled meso-tetratolylporphyrin hexagonal nanosheet.

We have fabricated nearly monodispersed nanocrystalline sheet waveguides from a well-known red emitting meso-tetratolylporphyrin molecule (1) by following a bottom-up solvent assisted self-assembly technique. The nano-sheets thickness is in the range of 110-180 nm. Localized laser illumination showed excitation position dependent exciton polariton (653 and 719 nm) propagation behavior of the sheets. The spatially resolved fluorescence spectra of the sheets showed optical modes at the input and output points, indicating cavity effect. Additionally, because of the reabsorption of the 653 nm emission, the nanosheets also act as wave length filter by cutting off the 653 nm photons from reaching the output end.

"Super hybrid tridentate ligands": 4-substituted-2-(1-butyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligands coordinated to Fe(ii) ions display above room temperature spin transitions.

A series of novel "super hybrid tridentate ligands" based on (2-(1-butyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (tpp) derivatives were synthesized. Their Fe(ii) complexes display around (T(½) = 287 K) and above room temperature (T(½)≫ 375 K) spin transition temperatures.

Engineering self-assembled fluorescent organic nanotapes and submicrotubes from pi-conjugated molecules.

Fluorescent elongated nanotapes and nearly monodispersed short submicrotubes were successfully prepared in a controlled manner from two tailor-made pi-conjugated organic building blocks 1 and 2, respectively in dichloromethane solvent via a supramolecular self-assembly approach.