CO2‐Cross‐Linked Frustrated Lewis Networks as Gas‐Regulated Dynamic Covalent Materials

Abstract

AbstractThe design of structurally dynamic molecular networks can offer strategies for fabricating stimuli‐responsive adaptive materials. Herein we first report a gas‐responsive dynamic gel system based on frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry. Two trefoil‐like molecules with bulky triphenylborane and triphenylphosphine groups are synthesized as complementary Lewis acid and base with trivalent sites. They can together bind CO2 gas molecules and further form a cross‐linked network via the bonding interactions between FLPs and CO2. Such CO2‐bridged dative linkages are shown to be dynamic covalent bonds, which endow the frustrated Lewis network with adaptable behaviors and unprecedented gas‐regulated viscoelastic, mechanical, and self‐healing performance. This study is an initial attempt to apply the FLP concept in materials chemistry, but we believe that this strategy will open a promising future for gas‐sensitive smart materials.