Stromaphane: A New Type of Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Framework with Subnanometric Slit-Shaped Pores

Abstract Stromaphane is a new type of two-dimensional covalent organic framework (2D-COF), constituting of multiple layers of ladderphanes where two adjacent ladderphane motifs share a common polymeric backbone. The linkers for each ladderphane moiety are perpendicular to the polymeric backbones and staggered with the linkers in the immediate neighbouring ladderphane layers. The framework of the stromaphane contains numerous slit-shaped pores with a width in subnanometres and length in nanometers. This 2D-COF is synthesized by Grubbs G-I catalyst-mediated stereospecific ring opening metathesis polymerisation of a biscyclopropene derivative having a benzene triad linker. The overall process can be considered as a self-intercalation polymerisation of a biscyclopropene. The structure of the 2D-COF has been proved by XRD measurements, DFT simulation, and STM images. This 2D-COF is composed of substituted poly(methylene-E-vinylene) (PMEV) backbones and benzene triad linkers to form a two-dimensional framework with multiply symmetrically distributed subnanometric slit-shaped pores.