Water-soluble flexible organic frameworks: synthesis, characterizations and functions

Abstract Water-soluble flexible organic frameworks (FOFs) can be constructed from multi-topic cationic, anionic or neutral, hydrophilic components through the quantitative formation of dynamic hydrazone or disulfide bond. FOFs have been revealed to possess intrinsic porosity, hydrophobic interior, and controllable nano-sizes. They function well as homogeneous nano-sponges for including proteins, DNA, residual drugs, such as neuromuscular blocking agents and heparins, and endotoxin. Their nano-sizes endow the frameworks with good ability for intracellular delivery of the included proteins and DNA and for the design of self-delivering prodrugs, while efficient inclusion of residual drugs can be utilized to develop FOF antidotes for inactivating the residual drugs. This review summarizes the design, preparations, characterizations and biofunctions of this family of dynamic covalent polymers.