Synthesis of covalent organic frameworks via in situ salen skeleton formation for catalytic applications

A facile synthesis of COF-salen via in situ salen skeleton formation under air atmosphere is described herein. COF-salen–M prepared via metal ion coordination could efficiently catalyse chemical reactions, e.g. styrene epoxidation, epoxide hydration and cycloaddition reactions of epoxides with CO₂. More interestingly, both cooperation and isolation effects were observed in COF-salen–M.