Rapid Synthesis of Single-Crystal Covalent Organic Framework with Controllable Crystal Habits
Wenqiang Gao, Ziao Chen, Jiaxin Hong, YinYue Zhang, Yang Zhao, Minghui Liu, Xinyu Wang, Shengcong Shang, Zewen You, Zhihao Shao, Jichen Dong, Yunlong Guo, Jianyi Chen, Yunqi Liu
Abstract
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) linked by poorly reversible covalent bonds lack dynamic formation and cleavage, so the synthesis of their single-crystal structures necessitates slow crystallization rates to mitigate defect formation. This, however, inherently restricts opportunities for facet-selective engineering beyond traditional compositional and topological controls. To address this fundamental limitation, we developed an acetal/CH 3 COOH protocol that paradoxically accelerated crystallization while enhancing structural perfection, reducing the synthesis time for 60 μm-sized single-crystal COF-300 to 1 h, while achieving crystal sizes of up to 120 μm within 48 h, and 300 μm after 30 days. Capitalizing on this accelerated synthesis platform, we systematically interrogated crystallization landscapes through multiparameter exploration─modulator chemoselectivity, catalyst dosages, temporal evolution, and reactive temperature─to decode possible growth mechanisms of single-crystal COFs. Based on these, the relationship between reaction conditions and the crystal size, size distribution, shape, and growth dynamics of single-crystal COFs was trained and predicted by a machine learning (ML) model.