Steric effect of intermediates induces formation of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks.

Summary: Making 3D chemical structures called COFs is usually very hard. Scientists normally have to build complex 3D starting pieces first, which takes a lot of time and effort. But now, researchers have found a clever shortcut! Instead of starting with 3D pieces, they used flat pieces that twist and lock into 3D shapes as they link together. By using a special building block with eight twisting knots, the pieces crowd each other as they connect. This crowding forces the structure to grow into a perfect, rigid 3D shape. This new trick makes it much easier to build these helpful materials without needing complicated starting ingredients.