Ultra-Stable Boronic Acid-Functionalized Quinoline-Linked COF for Selective Adsorption of Quercetin

Strategic Insights -

A recent breakthrough in the field of chemicals and chemistry has been reported by researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Technology. The study, published in Analytica Chimica Acta, presents the design of a highly stable and functional covalent organic framework (COF) for selective adsorption of cis-diol-containing compounds, such as quercetin. This material, named COF-366-BA, demonstrated enhanced chemical and thermal stability, as well as superior selective adsorption performance for quercetin and other compounds.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Technology designed a highly stable and functional covalent organic framework (COF) for selective adsorption of cis-diol-containing compounds.
  • The COF, named COF-366-BA, was synthesized through a post-synthetic modification strategy involving the aza-Diels-Alder reaction.
  • COF-366-BA exhibited enhanced chemical and thermal stability, withstanding strong acidic and alkaline conditions.
  • The COF demonstrated superior selective adsorption performance for quercetin, adenosine, and naringin, with adsorption mechanisms involving boron affinity, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic effects.
  • Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were thoroughly investigated, and a DSPE-HPLC method was developed for the selective enrichment and detection of quercetin in black tea.
  • The green synthesis approach and practical application of quercetin detection in food and biological samples hold significant importance in the health and nutrition fields.

Statistics:

  • The COF-366-BA demonstrated a high specific surface area of 1,445 m^2/g.
  • The material withstood strong acidic and alkaline conditions, indicating its enhanced chemical and thermal stability.
  • The adsorption capacity of COF-366-BA was found to be 150.6 mg/g for quercetin, 120.2 mg/g for adenosine, and 92.1 mg/g for naringin.
  • The developed DSPE-HPLC method using COF-366-BA as an adsorbent showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 μg/mL for quercetin.
  • The green metric evaluations, including GAPI, Complex GAPI, AGREE, and AGREEprep, confirmed the method's eco-friendliness.

Sources:

  • Fabrication of ultra-stable boronic acid-functionalized quinoline-linked COF for selective adsorption of quercetin. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2025;1367:344286.
  • Elsevier. (2025). Analytica Chimica Acta. Retrieved from
  • Wuhan Institute of Technology. (2025). School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. Retrieved from
  • Ting Zou, Wenhao Li, Ziyi Wang, Yuanyuan Zhang, and Juan Zhang. (2025). Fabrication of ultra-stable boronic acid-functionalized quinoline-linked COF for selective adsorption of quercetin. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1367, 344286.