Thiol–Ene Click Synthesis of Phenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework for Selective Catechol Removal from Aqueous Medium

We report a thiol–ene click strategy for the preparation of a novel phenylboronic acid-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) for selective removal of catechol in aqueous solution. Vinyl-functionalized 2,5-diallyloxyterephthalaldehyde (Da-V) was prepared as a building ligand. Da-V was then condensed with 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene (Tab) to give a vinyl-functionalized COF DhaTab-V. Subsequently, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) was covalently linked on DhaTab-V via thiol–ene click reaction to give phenylboronic acid-functionalized COF DhaTab-PBA. The adsorption isotherms, energetics and kinetics, and reusability of DhaTab-PBA for the adsorption and removal of catechol from aqueous solution were investigated in detail. This phenylboronic acid-functionalized COF is promising as sorbent for selective removal of catechol from aqueous medium with large adsorption capacity and good reusability.