Light-Emitting Covalent Organic Frameworks: Fluorescence Improving via Pinpoint Surgery and Selective Switch-On Sensing of Anions
- 18 September 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Vol. 140 (39), 12374-12377
- https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.8b08380
Abstract
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer ordered π structures that are useful for developing light-emitting materials. However, most COFs are weak in luminescence. Here we report the conversion of less emissive COFs into light-emitting materials via a pinpoint surgery on the pore walls. Deprotonation of the N–H bond to form an anionic nitrogen species in the hydrazone linkage can eliminate the nitrogen-related fluorescence quenching pathway. The resulting COF enhances the fluorescence in a linear proportion to the progress of deprotonation, achieving a 3.8-fold improved emission. This pinpoint N–H cleavage on the pore walls can be driven only by the fluoride anion while other halogen anions, including chloride, bromide, and iodide, remain inactive, enabling the selective fluorescence switch-on sensing of the fluoride anion at a ppb level.Funding Information
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- University of Tennessee
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP18J13699)
- National University of Singapore (R-143-000-A28-133)
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