Citation: Min Hou, Yuexin Wang, Siyu Zhang, Keke Zhang, Xiu Tan, Xianjun Lang. Thiazole-linked pyrene covalent organic framework for selective sulfoxidation via an electron transfer mediator by photoredox catalysis[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(8): 112817. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112817 shu

Thiazole-linked pyrene covalent organic framework for selective sulfoxidation via an electron transfer mediator by photoredox catalysis

Hubei Key Lab on Organic and Polymeric Optoelectronic Materials, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

yuexinwang@whu.edu.cn

xianjunlang@whu.edu.cn

Received Date: 7 January 2026
Revised Date: 9 April 2026
Accepted Date: 21 April 2026
Available Online: 23 April 2026

Figures(5)

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are burgeoning for visible-light photoredox catalysis owing to their modular building blocks and convertible covalent linkages. Herein, the polycondensation of 1,3,6,8-tetra(4-formylphenyl)pyrene (Py) and 4,4′-biphenyldiamine (BD) affords an imine-linked COF, PyBD-COF. Consequently, the conversion of imine into thiazole yields a thiazole-linked COF, PyBTZ-COF. Both pyrene COFs possess well-defined crystallinity and porosity. Compared to PyBD-COF, PyBTZ-COF exhibits superior chemical stability and better electronic structure, attributable to its stable and photoactive thiazole linkages. Both PyBD-COF and PyBTZ-COF drive highly selective sulfoxidation by blue-light photoredox catalysis. Notably, 3 mol% TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) as electron transfer mediator enhances the conversions to approximately twofold for both PyBD-COF and PyBTZ-COF compared to TEMPO-free conditions. Due to its better electronic structure, PyBTZ-COF outperforms PyBD-COF for selective aerobic sulfoxidation, irrespective of addition of 3 mol% TEMPO. PyBTZ-COF photoredox catalysis with TEMPO exhibits excellent stability and broad applicability for selective sulfoxidation. The conversion of the linkage of COFs offers a way forward for enhancing performance in photoredox catalysis.
- Covalent organic frameworks,
- Thiazole linkage,
- Tempo,
- Electron transfer,
- Aerobic sulfoxidation
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