Beyond Planar Architectures: Oxacalix[4]Arene ‐Bridged 3D Covalent Organic Frameworks with Saddle‐Shaped π‐Cavities for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide Photogeneration and Non‐Covalent C <sub>60</sub> Confinement
In this work, two calixarene-based macrocyclic 3D COFs (XJU-3, XJU-4) are successfully developed by overcoming conformational instability via intramolecular heteroatom anchoring and peripheral structural extension. The stabilized saddle-shaped conformation endows XJU-4 with exceptional crystallinity and directional charge transfer channels, achieving an efficient hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) production rate of 8384 µmol g<sup> 1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> under pure water and oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) conditions, which further rises to 24605 µmol g<sup> 1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> with a sacrificial agent. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the curved π-cavity facilitates O<sub>2</sub> activation through enhanced electron-withdrawing effects, while the orthogonal dimer configuration promotes singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) intermediates via reduced singlet-triplet energy gaps (ΔE<sub>S-T</sub>). Building on this framework, the potential of calixarene cavities is further demonstrated as supramolecular hosts-C<sub>60</sub> is selectively encapsulated within their π-rich pockets through non-covalent interactions, distinct from conventional pore confinement or covalent linkage strategies. This host-guest synergy enhances charge transfer pathways, as evidenced by luminescence quenching and orbital localization, showcasing the versatility of these COFs in both catalysis and functional composite design. The work establishes a paradigm for engineering conformation-stable macrocycles into 3D COFs, expanding their functional design for solar energy conversion systems.
Authors
- Xiaoyu Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8026-3326)
- Yiran Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6790-7473)
- Yen Wei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5950-0163)
- Qiu Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7977-9338)
- Bingqing Wei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9416-1731)
- Jianyu Huo
- Yuming Yu
- Hong Meng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5513-7846)
- Jin Yong-ming
- Wei Lan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1825-2823)
- Quan Zhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5280-0320)
- Lang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8282-0859)
Institutions
- Xinjiang University (CN)
- Tsinghua University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small
- Published
- 2025-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202507026
- Primary Topic
- Covalent Organic Framework Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Tsinghua University
- Xinjiang University