Triptycene-Based and Schiff-Base-Linked Porous Networks: Efficient Gas Uptake, High CO/N Selectivity, and Excellent Antiproliferative Activity.

A set of unique triptycene-based and organic Schiff-base-linked polymers (s) are conveniently synthesized in which triptycene motifs are connected with 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol units via Schiff-base linkages. s are amorphous, thermally stable with a reasonable surface area (SA up to 649 m/g), and have abundant nanopores (pore size < 100 nm). s are good sorbents for small gas molecules (such as CO, H, and N) and they can selectively capture CO over N. Additionally, s show superior antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer cells relative to previously reported covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The mechanism of cell death is also studied elaborately.