Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Metal-N-Heterocyclic-Carbene-Decorated Covalent Organic Framework.

We demonstrate herein that the N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC)-metal complex (NHC-M)-involved covalent organic framework (COF) can be prepared by the direct polymerization of the NHC-M monomer with its counterpart under solvothermal conditions. The NHC-M-COF with different counterions is readily achieved via solid-state anion exchange. The obtained NHC-AuX-COF (X = Cl- and SbF6-) can be a highly active reusable catalyst to separately promote the carboxylation of the terminal alkyne with CO2 and alkyne hydration under mild conditions.