Covalent organic frameworks (COFs)

"Science is not finished until it is communicated."

Mark Walport

May 9, 2023

Hi, it's Gabriella!

Today I'm going to talk you about COFs.

What are COFs

COFs stands for covalent organic frameworks. They are new hybrid porous materials that contain organic linkers.

The main characteristics of COFs are:

• high chemical and thermal stability
• cristallinity
• porosity
• covalent bonds

You can also obtain Lamellar COFs, single-layer frameworks. There are different methods to do this:

• swelling
• sonical exfoliation
• chemical exfoliation
• mechanical exfoliation

You may be asking yourself what are COFs used for. I will explain you in the next paragraph.

Use of COFs

COFs are eco-friendly materials, because they can be used as solid catalysts. A catalyst is always a good thing, because it allows you to save energy, and, as you have learned in the post Zeolites, a solid catalyst is often the best choice.

COFs can catalyse, for example, the esterification of carboxylic acids. They are used also in photocatalysis as in the coupling of amines. For example, thiophene based COFs have good photocatalytic properties, working with blue light or UV radiation.

Thiophene

In the near future, COFs will have more applications in the cross coupling of amines and in photocatalytic reactions useful in the pharmaceutical field.

To conclude, in this short video you can see our COF experience in the laboratory of ITQ. Enjoy it!

See you soon!

G.M.