Integrating Bifunctionality and Chemical Stability in Covalent Organic Frameworks via One-Pot Multicomponent Reactions for Solar-Driven HO Production.

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) can be used to introduce different functionalities into highly stable covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In this work, the irreversible three-component Doebner reaction is utilized to synthesize four chemically stable quinoline-4-carboxylic acid DMCR-COFs ( and ) equipped with an acid-base bifunctionality. These DMCR-COFs show superior photocatalytic HO evolution (one of the most important industrial oxidants) compared to the imine COF analogue (). This is achieved with sacrificial oxidants but also in pure water and under an oxygen or air atmosphere. Furthermore, the DMCR-COFs show high photostability, durability, and recyclability. MCR-COFs thus provide a viable materials' platform for solar to chemical energy conversion.