Programmable Vertical Expansion of Bilayer 2D Supramolecular Frameworks via Molecular Pillar Engineering

T Ting Zhou S Shi‐Xing Lei (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Lu Shanghai 200032 China) B Biao Lv (College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University 100 Kexue Street Zhengzhou 450001 China) X Xing‐Yu Guo (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Lu Shanghai 200032 China) X Xiao‐Mei Gong (College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University 100 Kexue Street Zhengzhou 450001 China) Q Qiao‐Yan Qi (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200032 China) J Jia Tian (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) Z Zhan‐Ting Li (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai P. R. China) B Bo Yang

Abstract

AbstractAchieving quantitative control over interlayer spacing in multilayer two‐dimensional (2D) supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we report a molecular pillar engineering strategy enabling programmable vertical expansion of bilayer architectures. By designing elongated bipyridine pillars L2/L3 (3.0/4.4 nm) with hydrophilic side chains, we transform a Zn‐porphyrin/CB[8] monolayer SOF (ml‐2D‐SOF, 1.8 nm) into bilayers with precision‐tuned thicknesses: bl‐2D‐SOF‐2 (5.4 ± 0.2 nm) and bl‐2D‐SOF‐3 (6.7 ± 0.3 nm). Synchrotron small‐angle and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) lattice imaging, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm structural regularity with Ångstrom‐level accuracy in layer spacing. Crucially, we establish a linear correlation between pillar length and interlayer distance, while multivalency‐driven assembly ensures >93% bilayer selectivity. This work pioneers quantitative 3D engineering in 2D SOFs, opening avenues for tailored nanoconfined environments.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 43
Published October 20, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

T

Ting Zhou

S

Shi‐Xing Lei

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Lu Shanghai 200032 China

B

Biao Lv

College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University 100 Kexue Street Zhengzhou 450001 China

X

Xing‐Yu Guo

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Lu Shanghai 200032 China

X

Xiao‐Mei Gong

College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University 100 Kexue Street Zhengzhou 450001 China

Q

Qiao‐Yan Qi

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200032 China

J

Jia Tian

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Z

Zhan‐Ting Li

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai P. R. China

B

Bo Yang