Stepwise Conjugation Extension of Covalent Organic Frameworks via Multicomponent Linkage Conversion for Optimized Photocatalytic Molecular Oxygen Activation

S Shu‐Xin Chen (Spin‐X Institute School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Functional Materials State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou China) X Xinglin Cao (Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science For Advanced Materials and Large‐Scale Scientific Facilities School of Physical Sciences Great Bay University Dongguan China) M Mingcong Wang (Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science For Advanced Materials and Large‐Scale Scientific Facilities School of Physical Sciences Great Bay University Dongguan China) S Sizhuo Yang Z Zhiyuan Huang (The Molecular Foundry) C Cameron Wilson P Peyman Z. Moghadam (Department of Chemical Engineering University College London London UK) Y Yingying Ning (Spin-X Institute, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Functional Materials, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices) Y Yi Liu J Jiyun Hu (Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science for Advanced Materials and Large-Scale Scientific Facilities, School of Physical Science)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Conjugated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a promising class of semiconducting heterogeneous photocatalysts. Precise control of the conjugation within their framework is pivotal for tuning electronic structures and optimizing catalytic performance, yet conventional approaches for linker extension face significant synthetic limitations. We report in this work a multicomponent reaction strategy that enables stepwise tuning of the conjugation of COFs through linkage conversion, where imine linkages are sequentially transformed into tetrahydrophenanthridine and further into phenanthridine units. The progressively extended conjugation results in a lower bandgap and reduced exciton binding energy, thereby promoting light harvesting and subsequent free charge carrier generation and utilization. Among the COFs bearing different linkages, the phenanthridine‐linked COF exhibits superior efficiency in photocatalytic activation of molecular oxygen for a variety of chemical transformations, including hydrogen peroxide generation, thioether oxidation, and benzimidazole synthesis under mild conditions.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published July 11, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

S

Shu‐Xin Chen

Spin‐X Institute School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Functional Materials State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou China

X

Xinglin Cao

Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science For Advanced Materials and Large‐Scale Scientific Facilities School of Physical Sciences Great Bay University Dongguan China

M

Mingcong Wang

Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science For Advanced Materials and Large‐Scale Scientific Facilities School of Physical Sciences Great Bay University Dongguan China

S

Sizhuo Yang

Z

Zhiyuan Huang

The Molecular Foundry

C

Cameron Wilson

P

Peyman Z. Moghadam

Department of Chemical Engineering University College London London UK

Y

Yingying Ning

Spin-X Institute, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Functional Materials, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices

Y

Yi Liu

J

Jiyun Hu

Dongguan Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science for Advanced Materials and Large-Scale Scientific Facilities, School of Physical Science