Growth rates and water stability of 2D boronate ester covalent organic frameworksElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and additional characterization of 2D COFs. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc00379b

We examine the growth rates, activation energies, and hydrolytic stability of multiple 2D boronate ester covalent organic frameworks by turbidity measurements, observing a 200-fold range in stability. The rate-determining step in boronate ester 2D COF growth is not in-solution condensation, but rather interlayer polymer stacking through a nucleation-elongation process. The formation and stability of boronate ester COFs is monitored by turbidity spectroscopy, establishing rules for monomer effects and insights into the growth mechanism.