DOI: 10.1126/science.aal1585 ISSN:
The atom, the molecule, and the covalent organic framework
Christian S. Diercks, Omar M. Yaghi- Multidisciplinary
A framework for molecular assembly
Covalent molecular frameworks are crystalline microporous materials assembled from organic molecules through strong covalent bonds in a process termed reticular synthesis. Diercks and Yaghi review developments in this area, noting the parallels between framework assembly and the covalent assembly of atoms into molecules, as described just over a century ago by Lewis. Emerging challenges include functionalization of existing frameworks and the creation of flexible materials through the design of woven structures.
Science, this issue p.