Porous Ru-loaded covalent organic framework nanofluids for fast and scalable continuous-flow photocatalytic oxidations
摘要
Continuous-flow photocatalysis with heterogeneous catalysts offers a sustainable route for chemical synthesis, but it is limited by catalyst deactivation and inefficient light utilization arising from swelling and pore clogging. Here we develop a high-performance continuous-flow system based on covalent organic framework (COF) nanofluids as porous catalytic dispersions. Two ionic COFs incorporating imine-linked Ru(II)–triphenanthroline photocatalysts are synthesized, featuring triple-helix porous architectures resolved by cryogenic low-dose electron microscopy. Processed into nanofluids with an average particle size below 100 nm, the COFs remain colloidally stable for over seven days without surfactants, enabling efficient mass transfer, light penetration and heat dissipation in flow microreactors. These attributes result in markedly enhanced photocatalytic performance across a range of achiral and chiral oxidation reactions. Notably, artemisinin is produced in 64% yield within 7 min via photooxidation of dihydroartemisinic acid. Integration of a dual-capillary microreactor further doubles productivity, highlighting the scalability and industrial potential of porous nanofluid photocatalysis.