The simultaneous polymerization and
crystallization of monomers
featuring directional bonding designs provides covalent organic frameworks
(COFs), which are periodic polymer networks with robust covalent bonds
arranged in two- or three-dimensional topologies. The range of properties
characterized in COFs has rapidly expanded to include those of interest
for heterogeneous catalysis, energy storage and photovoltaic devices,
and proton-conducting membranes. Yet many of these applications will
require materials quality, morphological control, and synthetic efficiency
exceeding the capabilities of contemporary synthetic methods. This
level of control will emerge from an improved fundamental understanding
of COF nucleation and growth processes. More powerful characterization
of structure and defects, improved syntheses guided by mechanistic
understanding, and accessing diverse isolated forms, ranging from
single crystals to thin films to colloidal suspensions, remain important
frontier problems.