Designing the Future: Covalent Organic Frameworks Meet Single-Atom Catalysts

Dear Colleagues,

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a new generation of crystalline porous materials, have opened up exciting avenues in the field of heterogeneous catalysis due to their high surface areas, ordered porosity, and modular structural tunability. Initially composed of metal-free building blocks, COFs have shown potential in various energy-related catalytic reactions, but are often limited by their intrinsic catalytic activity. The recent integration of single-atom catalysts (SACs) into COF scaffolds marks a transformative advance—uniting the precision and designability of COFs with the exceptional atomic utilization and distinct electronic characteristics of isolated metal sites. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest progress at the interface of COFs and SACs, from synthetic innovations and post-synthetic metalation strategies to the engineering of light-responsive and redox-active units. We particularly welcome submissions focusing on catalytic applications in challenging reactions such as nitrogen reduction, H₂ production, and CO₂ conversion. Emphasis is placed on the synergistic interactions between framework topology and active site configuration, offering new insights into structure–activity relationships and guiding principles for the rational design of COF-based SACs.

Researchers are invited to contribute original articles, reviews, and perspectives that showcase emerging trends, novel mechanisms, and cutting-edge materials bridging the gap between organic framework chemistry and atomic-scale catalysis.

Dr. Wei Che
Guest Editor

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