Three-Dimensional Nanoporous Covalent Organic Framework-Incorporated Monolithic Columns for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

The application of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COF) with complex structure and high stability as the stationary phase is promising for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) but is still limited by their irregular shape and wide size distribution. Herein, we show the fabrication of the first 3D COF-based monolithic column via the facile incorporation of nanoporous 3D-IL-COF-1 consisting of tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)methane and p-phenylenediamine into a porous organic monolith for HPLC. The effect of essential factors including temperature, porogen, and 3D-IL-COF-1 on the column permeability and efficiency is systematically investigated via the orthogonal experiment. The uniform structure, good permeability, and high mechanical stability of the prepared 3D-IL-COF-1 monolithic column not only make it promising for broad-spectrum chromatographic separation of neutral, acidic, and basic compounds but also render it better separation of isomers than a C18 column. This work offers a facile strategy for synthesis of a 3D COF stationary phase and will largely expand the high potential of 3D COF in HPLC.