Synthesis, characterization, and hydrazine sensing property of two covalent organic frameworks

Sensitive and efficient detection of hydrazine is of great significance because hydrazine is a highly toxic organic molecule, which can pose great threats to human health. Herein, two covalent organic frameworks (COFs) modified with ester groups in the pores, TAPB-DHE and TAPT-DHE, have been successfully synthesized via esterification reaction. Both of the two COFs have good crystallinity, thermal stability, and fluorescence properties. TAPB-DHE can be used as a turn-on fluorescence sensor for the sensitive detection of trace hydrazine in aqueous solution with a detection limit of 0.40 mu M and a wide linear range of 0-100 mu M due to the fluorescence enhancement of TAPB-DHE caused by the chemical reaction between hydrazine and TAPB-DHE, in which the ester group of the COF is converted into hydroxyl group, leading to the restriction of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect. This work provides a reference for the design of COFs with hydrazine recognition function and a helpful expansion for the practical application of COFs.