Porphyrin-based networks and frameworks: a library of programmable materials for energy and environmental science

The long-range delocalization of electrons in macrocyclic compounds, such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines, allows for tuning the electronic properties of domains that utilize these chemicals as building blocks. This approach has rapidly become a powerful platform for preparing diverse electroactive materials for electrochemical applications. To that end, in this review, we outline the most recent advancements in design, synthesis, and computational modeling of porphyrin-based frameworks. Herein, we highlight innovative synthetic approaches that are utilized to both enhance the structural stability and porosity of the materials and control the microenvironment of their catalytic sites. These approaches include post-synthetic modification, metal coordination, and hierarchical assembly. Key focus areas of research, including the use of these materials as electrocatalysts and capacitors, are highlighted. The expansion in the utility of these materials in environmental remediation applications, such as carbon dioxide capture, photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, and selective adsorption of heavy metals, underscores the versatility of the porphyrin-based materials across many disciplines.