Sorting polymerization in a bichannel metal-organic framework

Accomplishing multiple synthetic tasks in parallel, including substrate capture, separation, and reaction, along with controlled arrangement of product, all in one system has remained a long-standing challenge in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report a sorting polymerization strategy that harnesses the multifunctional nature of a bichannel metal-organic framework (MOF). The MOF, [Cu(5-methylisophthalate)]n, featuring two distinct one-dimensional channels arranged in a single Kagome lattice, allows selective adsorption of monomers to different sites based on their polarity and size. This enables the sorting of different vinyl monomers and their in-situ parallel homo-polymerization within the respective channels. The process produces alternating single-chain arrays of homopolymers in a single step, a configuration unattainable by conventional approaches. Additionally, the introduction of inter-chain cross-linking allows for the isolation of the binary polymer array by removing the MOF template. This work highlights the potential of MOFs as versatile reaction platforms for the synthesis of complex, well-ordered molecular architectures from chaotic mixtures of raw materials.