IChO 2026 · Theory problem 3

Into Reticular Chemistry

T3. Into Reticular Chemistry

7%

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 \(\sum\)
2 3 23 12 6 12 5 63

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of polymers that form two- or three-dimensional structures through reactions between organic precursors, resulting in covalent bonds to afford porous, crystalline materials. Two examples of honeycomb type 2D-COFs formed by boronate ester and boroxine rings (repeat units indicated using dashed lines) are shown in the figure below.

The black and red bold lines represent different building blocks in all COF topology figures.

Figure 1

3.1 Determine the empirical formula of COF-1 and calculate the mass percentage (%, to two decimal places) of carbon in COF-1. 2.0 pt

3.2 Calculate the internal diameter, \(d\), in Å, of the honeycomb for COF-2, with the following assumptions: 3.0 pt

  • \(\ce{C-C}/\ce{C=C}\) (arenes) = 1.39 Å
  • \(\ce{C-B}\) = 1.56 Å
  • \(\ce{B-O}\) = 1.38 Å
  • Note, the diameter of a circle, \(d\), inscribed inside a hexagon, is given by \(d=\sqrt{3}a\), where \(a\) is the side length of the hexagon.
  • Neglect the width of the linkers.

The structures shown below can form 2D and 3D COFs. For this question consider only formation of COFs with boronate esters, imines, and \(\ce{C=C}\) bonds through condensation reactions. A–E represent compound classes with different functional groups.

Figure 2
Figure 3

Tetragonal means Tetragonal, Hexagonal means Hexagonal, Trigonal means Trigonal, Kagome means Kagome, Tetrahedral means Tetrahedral.

3.3 Fill all the table cells with either new examples of monomer combinations that give the topologies shown above or with “XXX” if you are certain that no additional combinations satisfy that topology. Both the combinations and the “XXX” entries will be graded. Incorrect answers (both combinations and “XXX” entries) will be penalised. Blank table cells will not be graded. 23.0 pt

Tetragonal 1 Tetragonal 2 Hexagonal 1 Hexagonal 2 Trigonal Kagome Tetrahedral
■ ■ A2 + B3 E1 + D2 ■ C2 + D4 ■

Whilst imine-based COFs are easily synthesised, they are also vulnerable to hydrolysis under strongly acidic and basic conditions. The addition of hydroxy groups to the aldehyde or amine monomers can overcome this. IR spectrum of COF-3 contained stretches corresponding to the imine functional group, but COF-4 did not. COF-4 contains a different type of \(\ce{C=N}\) bonds, and elemental analysis revealed a loss of six additional hydrogen atoms per repeat unit relative to COF-3 as the only change. COF-5 irreversibly isomerises to COF-6, which did not contain imine stretches in its IR spectrum.

Figure 4
Figure 5

3.4 Draw the repeat units for COFs 3–6. Indicate the edges of each repeat unit with a dashed line as shown for COF-1 below. 12.0 pt

Figure 6

Macrocycle X was synthesised by post-synthetic modification of COF-7 (C2 + D4) followed by degradation.

Figure 7

3.5 Draw the smallest repeat unit of macrocycle X. 6.0 pt

π-π interactions result in different stacking modes of COF layers, some of which are shown below.

Figure 8

Depending on stacking geometry, the interaction energy can be different as shown below.

Figure 9
Interaction geometry \(E/\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) \(E/\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)
benzene (\(\ce{X = CH}\)) – benzene (b-b) −7.9 −12.6
benzene-triazine (\(\ce{X = N}\)) (b-t) −49.8 −55.6
triazine–triazine (t-t) −6.7 −16.7

COF-8, synthesised from (E1 + D2), is notable for its remarkable stability. The AA′ slightly shifted mode of a COF-8 bilayer has a π-π stacking interaction energy of \(-67.1\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) between two layers of one repeat unit.

Figure 10

3.6 Calculate the π-π stacking energy between two layers of one repeat unit of COF-8, for the AA, AB and AB′ arrangements. Assume π-π stacking happens only between aromatic units. 12.0 pt

COF-9, obtained from COF-8, absorbs \(\ce{UO2^{2+}}\) ions and loses its fluorescence. In an experiment, a suspension of 5.000 mg COF-9 in \(19.90\ \mathrm{mg\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{UO2^{2+}}\) solution (200.0 mL) was filtered after equilibrium was reached. The final concentration of \(\ce{UO2^{2+}}\) was \(9.225\ \mathrm{mg\,dm^{-3}}\).

Figure 11

3.7 Calculate the equilibrium absorption capacity at a given temperature (\(q_e\)) in \(\mathrm{mg\,g^{-1}}\) of COF-9. Indicate the number of \(\ce{UO2^{2+}}\) ions absorbed per pore. Assume that all uranium exists as \(\ce{UO2^{2+}}\) ions. 5.0 pt

Periodic Table of Elements

Figure 12

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 3.1: Empirical formula \(\boxed{\ce{C9H4BO2}}\); carbon mass percentage \(\boxed{69.77\%}\).
  • 3.2: \(\boxed{d=15.00\ \text{Å}}\).
  • 3.3: Fill the two empty rows as follows:
Tetragonal 1 Tetragonal 2 Hexagonal 1 Hexagonal 2 Trigonal Kagome Tetrahedral
A2 + B1 XXX A1 + B2 A1 + B3 C1 + D1 A3 + B2 A4 + B2
C3 + D4 XXX C1 + D2 XXX XXX XXX C1 + D3
  • 3.4: COF-3: hydroxy-substituted imine framework; COF-4: benzobisoxazole framework; COF-5: enol–imine framework; COF-6: β-ketoenamine framework. Their precise connectivity, SMILES fragments and repeat boundaries are given below.
  • 3.5: The smallest repeat contains one 3,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)benzaldehyde-derived unit and one tetrafluoroterephthaloyl unit, joined by amide bonds. Its formula is \(\ce{C27H14F4N2O3}\), and its attachment-point SMILES is [*:1]Nc1ccc(cc1)-c1cc(C=O)cc(c1)-c1ccc(cc1)NC(=O)c1c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c1F)C(=O)[*:2].
  • 3.6: \(\boxed{E_{\mathrm{AA}}=-38.3,\quad E_{\mathrm{AB}}=-49.8,\quad E_{\mathrm{AB'}}=-55.6\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}\), per pair of repeat units.
  • 3.7: \(\boxed{q_e=427.0\ \mathrm{mg\,g^{-1}}}\); \(\boxed{\text{approximately one }\ce{UO2^{2+}}\text{ ion per pore}}\).

Solution

In the structural SMILES below, [*] denotes an attachment to the rest of the framework. These are finite structural fragments: ordinary SMILES does not itself specify an infinite periodic framework or its dashed repeat boundaries. Water, eliminated in the condensations, has SMILES O.

3.1 — Composition of COF-1

The monomers are:

  • A2, benzene-1,4-diboronic acid, \(\ce{C6H8B2O4}\): OB(O)c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1.
  • B3, triphenylene-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexol, \(\ce{C18H12O6}\): Oc1cc2c(cc1O)c1cc(O)c(O)cc1c1cc(O)c(O)cc21.

Each B3 molecule contains three catechol groups, while A2 contains two boronic acid groups. Thus their stoichiometric ratio is

\[ n(\mathrm{A2}):n(\mathrm{B3})=3:2. \]

Formation of each cyclic boronate ester eliminates two water molecules. Six such linkages therefore give

\[ \ce{3C6H8B2O4 + 2C18H12O6 -> C54H24B6O12 + 12H2O}. \]

The product formula here denotes a framework composition, rather than an isolated molecule. Dividing its subscripts by six gives

\[ \boxed{\ce{C9H4BO2}}. \]

Using the supplied atomic masses,

\[ M=9(12.01)+4(1.008)+10.81+2(16.00) =154.932\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Consequently,

\[ w_{\mathrm C} =\frac{9(12.01)}{154.932}\times100\% =\boxed{69.77\%}. \]

3.2 — Internal diameter of COF-2

COF-2 contains boroxine nodes, whose substituted ring can be represented by [*]B1OB([*])OB([*])O1. Their formation follows the balanced condensation

\[ \ce{3R-B(OH)2 -> (RBO)3 + 3H2O}. \]

Treating the boroxine ring as the regular hexagon drawn, its centre-to-boron distance equals its side length, \(1.38\ \text{Å}\). The separation between opposite carbon atoms of a regular benzene ring is twice its side length.

The distance between two neighbouring boroxine centres—the honeycomb side length—is therefore

\[ \begin{aligned} a &=2r_{\mathrm{B-O}}+2r_{\mathrm{C-B}}+2r_{\mathrm{C-C}}\\ &=2(1.38)+2(1.56)+2(1.39)\\ &=8.66\ \text{Å}. \end{aligned} \]

Neglecting linker width as instructed,

\[ d=\sqrt3\,a=\sqrt3(8.66) =\boxed{15.00\ \text{Å}}. \]

3.3 — Monomer combinations and topology

The allowed complementary functional groups are:

Combination Linkage formed Condensation stoichiometry
A + B Cyclic boronate ester One boronic acid group + one catechol group eliminates two water molecules
C + D Imine One amine + one aldehyde eliminates one water molecule
E + D Cyano-substituted alkene One activated methylene group + one aldehyde eliminates one water molecule

The latter two reactions can be written

\[ \ce{R-CHO + H2N-R' -> R-CH=N-R' + H2O}, \]

\[ \ce{R-CHO + R'-CH2-CN -> R-CH=C(CN)-R' + H2O}. \]

The idealized connection geometries in the supplied drawings are:

Connection geometry Monomers
Linear, two connections A2, B2, C1, D4
Trigonal, three connections A1, B3, D2, E1
Square, four connections B1, C3
Four connections suited to the Kagome arrangement A3, C2
Planar, six connections D1
Tetrahedral, four connections A4, D3

These give the completed table:

Tetragonal 1 Tetragonal 2 Hexagonal 1 Hexagonal 2 Trigonal Kagome Tetrahedral
■ ■ A2 + B3 E1 + D2 ■ C2 + D4 ■
A2 + B1 XXX A1 + B2 A1 + B3 C1 + D1 A3 + B2 A4 + B2
C3 + D4 XXX C1 + D2 XXX XXX XXX C1 + D3

The assignments follow directly from the geometry:

  • Tetragonal 1: square nodes connected by linear linkers.
  • Tetragonal 2: requires complementary square nodes of both colours. None of the supplied pairs meets this requirement: A3 has the Kagome-type connection geometry, while D3 is tetrahedral.
  • Hexagonal 1: trigonal nodes connected by linear linkers.
  • Hexagonal 2: alternating complementary trigonal nodes.
  • Trigonal: six-connected D1 nodes joined through linear C1 linkers.
  • Kagome: A3 and C2 supply the appropriate four-connected geometry; their compatible linear partners are B2 and D4, respectively.
  • Tetrahedral: tetrahedral A4 or D3 nodes joined through compatible linear linkers.

E1 + D4 is another possible Hexagonal 1 combination; the two new examples entered above already fill its available cells.

For completeness, the names and SMILES identifying the monomers used in these assignments are listed below. A2 and B3 were specified in 3.1.

Label Name SMILES
A1 1,3,5-Tris(4-boronophenyl)benzene c1(-c2ccc(B(O)O)cc2)cc(-c2ccc(B(O)O)cc2)cc(-c2ccc(B(O)O)cc2)c1
A3 1,1,2,2-Tetrakis(4-boronophenyl)ethene C(=C(c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)(c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1
A4 Tetrakis(4-boronophenyl)silane [Si](c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)(c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)(c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1)c1ccc(B(O)O)cc1
B1 Metal phthalocyanine bearing four peripheral catechol groups Free-base ligand: Oc1cc2c(cc1O)-c1nc-2nc2[nH]c(nc3nc(nc4[nH]c(n1)c1cc(O)c(O)cc41)-c1cc(O)c(O)cc1-3)c1cc(O)c(O)cc21
B2 Naphthalene-2,3,6,7-tetrol Oc1cc2cc(O)c(O)cc2cc1O
C1 Biphenyl-4,4′-diamine, or benzidine Nc1ccc(-c2ccc(N)cc2)cc1
C2 \((E)\)-1,2-Bis[3,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)phenyl]ethene Nc1ccc(-c2cc(-c3ccc(N)cc3)cc(/C=C/c3cc(-c4ccc(N)cc4)cc(-c4ccc(N)cc4)c3)c2)cc1
C3 Metal meso-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin Free-base ligand: Nc1ccc(-c2c3nc(c(-c4ccc(N)cc4)c4ccc([nH]4)c(-c4ccc(N)cc4)c4nc(c(-c5ccc(N)cc5)c5ccc2[nH]5)C=C4)C=C3)cc1
D1 Hexakis(4-formylphenyl)benzene c1(-c2ccc(C=O)cc2)c(-c2ccc(C=O)cc2)c(-c2ccc(C=O)cc2)c(-c2ccc(C=O)cc2)c(-c2ccc(C=O)cc2)c1-c1ccc(C=O)cc1
D2 2,4,6-Tris(4-formylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine O=Cc1ccc(-c2nc(-c3ccc(C=O)cc3)nc(-c3ccc(C=O)cc3)n2)cc1
D3 Tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)methane C(c1ccc(C=O)cc1)(c1ccc(C=O)cc1)(c1ccc(C=O)cc1)c1ccc(C=O)cc1
D4 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorobenzene-1,4-dicarbaldehyde O=Cc1c(F)c(F)c(C=O)c(F)c1F
E1 1,3,5-Tris(cyanomethyl)benzene N#CCc1cc(CC#N)cc(CC#N)c1

For B1 and C3, the figure does not identify the metal \(M\). The listed SMILES therefore describe their free-base ligands. In the depicted metal complexes, the two inner N–H protons are replaced on metallation, and \(M\) coordinates the four inward-facing nitrogen atoms in an approximately planar \(\ce{N4}\) pocket.

3.4 — Repeat units of COFs 3–6

The additional starting compounds are:

Name Formula SMILES
Benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde \(\ce{C9H6O3}\) O=Cc1cc(C=O)cc(C=O)c1
2,5-Diaminobenzene-1,4-diol \(\ce{C6H8N2O2}\) Nc1c(O)cc(N)c(O)c1
2,4,6-Trihydroxybenzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde \(\ce{C9H6O6}\) O=Cc1c(O)c(C=O)c(O)c(C=O)c1O
Benzene-1,4-diamine \(\ce{C6H8N2}\) Nc1ccc(N)cc1

For each requested repeat drawing, place one complete three-connected central node in the middle, draw its three attached linkers, and draw a dashed boundary across the middle of each linker’s central benzene ring. Thus each repeat contains one node and three half-linkers, just as in the supplied COF-1 example.

COF-3: hydroxy-substituted imine framework

Condensation produces three imine connections per central benzene node:

\[ \ce{2C9H6O3 + 3C6H8N2O2 -> 2(C18H12N3O3)_{$repeat$} + 6H2O}. \]

Each complete linker between central benzene nodes is

\[ \ce{Ar-CH=N-C6H2(OH)2-N=CH-Ar}. \]

The two imine nitrogen substituents are para to each other on the linker ring; each retained hydroxy group is ortho to one imine nitrogen substituent.

  • Three-connected benzene node: [*:1]c1cc([*:2])cc([*:3])c1
  • Hydroxy-substituted bis(imine) linker: [*:1]/C=N/c1c(O)cc(/N=C/[*:2])c(O)c1

The slashes show the extended imine configuration. The repeat composition is \(\ce{C18H12N3O3}\).

COF-4: benzobisoxazole framework

Each ortho-hydroxy imine undergoes oxidative cyclization. The phenolic oxygen bonds to the neighbouring imine carbon, producing a fused five-membered 1,3-oxazole ring.

At each site, the imine-carbon hydrogen and the phenolic hydrogen are lost overall. Three sites per repeat therefore remove six hydrogen atoms:

\[ \ce{(C18H12N3O3)_{$repeat$} + 3[O] -> (C18H6N3O3)_{$repeat$} + 3H2O}. \]

Here \(\ce{[O]}\) denotes an oxidizing oxygen equivalent.

The central three-connected benzene node remains unchanged. Each linker becomes a benzene ring fused to an oxazole on each of two opposite edges:

  • Benzene-fused bis(1,3-oxazole) linker: [*:1]c1nc2cc3oc([*:2])nc3cc2o1

Both external attachment points are at the carbon atoms between O and N in the respective oxazole rings.

This accounts for all the observations: no oxygen or nitrogen is lost, exactly six hydrogens disappear per repeat, and the remaining \(\ce{C=N}\) bonds belong to aromatic oxazole rings rather than ordinary imine groups.

COF-5: enol–imine framework

Initial condensation retains the three phenolic hydroxy groups of the aldehyde monomer:

\[ \ce{2C9H6O6 + 3C6H8N2 -> 2(C18H12N3O3)_{$repeat$} + 6H2O}. \]

Draw a central benzene ring with alternating \(\ce{OH}\) groups and \(\ce{-CH=N-}\) arms. The nitrogen atoms connect through para-phenylene linkers to adjacent nodes.

  • Hydroxylated three-connected node: Oc1c([*:1])c(O)c([*:2])c(O)c1[*:3]
  • Para-phenylene bis(imine) linker: [*:1]/C=N/c1ccc(/N=C/[*:2])cc1

The repeat formula is again \(\ce{C18H12N3O3}\).

COF-6: β-ketoenamine framework

COF-5 undergoes proton transfer and bond rearrangement:

\[ \ce{Ar-C(OH)=C(-CH=N-R)- -> Ar-C(=O)-C(=CH-NH-R)-}. \]

This is a tautomerization, so no atoms are added or removed:

\[ \ce{COF-5 -> COF-6}. \]

For the repeat drawing:

  1. Replace the three phenolic \(\ce{C-OH}\) groups by three \(\ce{C=O}\) groups.
  2. Replace each exocyclic \(\ce{-CH=N-Ar}\) connection by \(\ce{=CH-NH-Ar}\).
  3. Draw the central six-membered ring with single bonds between its ring atoms.

Thus the central motif is 2,4,6-tris(arylaminomethylene)cyclohexane-1,3,5-trione:

  • Ketoenamine node fragment: O=C1C(=CN[*:1])C(=O)C(=CN[*:2])C(=O)C1=CN[*:3]
  • Connecting para-phenylene group: [*:1]c1ccc([*:2])cc1

The repeat remains \(\ce{C18H12N3O3}\). Its nitrogen atoms are now enamine \(\ce{NH}\) atoms, explaining the absence of ordinary imine stretches.

3.5 — Smallest repeat unit of macrocycle X

There are two successive structural changes.

First, the imines of COF-7 are oxidized to amides:

\[ \ce{R-CH=N-R' + [O] -> R-C(=O)-NH-R'}. \]

Consequently, every carbonyl carbon in these new amides comes from a D4 aldehyde, and every amide nitrogen comes from C2. The correct linkage orientation is therefore

\[ \ce{(C2)-Ar-NH-C(=O)-C6F4-C(=O)-NH-Ar-(C2)}. \]

The reagents are sodium chlorite, [Na+].[O-]Cl=O, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, [Na+].[O-]P(=O)(O)O. Acetic acid, CC(=O)O, catalyses the preceding imine formation.

Second, reductive ozonolysis cleaves the central alkene of C2:

\[ \ce{Ar-CH=CH-Ar + O3 + (CH3)2S -> 2Ar-CHO + (CH3)2SO}. \]

Here ozone is [O-][O+]=O, dimethyl sulfide is CSC, and dimethyl sulfoxide is CS(C)=O.

Each C2 half therefore becomes a 3,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)benzaldehyde-derived fragment, with its amino groups already incorporated into amides. The corresponding free diamine is 3,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)benzaldehyde, O=Cc1cc(-c2ccc(N)cc2)cc(-c2ccc(N)cc2)c1.

The smallest repeat of X consists of:

  • one central benzene ring bearing a formyl group and two aryl substituents at alternating positions;
  • a para-phenylene group on each aryl arm;
  • two amide connections;
  • one tetrafluorinated benzene ring bearing its two carbonyl groups para to each other.

Its unambiguous repeat-fragment SMILES is

[*:1]Nc1ccc(cc1)-c1cc(C=O)cc(c1)-c1ccc(cc1)NC(=O)c1c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c1F)C(=O)[*:2]

Join the terminal carbonyl carbon of one repeat to the initial nitrogen of the next. The surviving hexagonal circuit contains six such repeats, giving the cyclic hexamer X, \(\ce{C162H84F24N12O18}\). Its full molecular SMILES is

N1c2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)Nc2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)Nc2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)Nc2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)Nc2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)Nc2ccc(cc2)-c2cc(C=O)cc(c2)-c2ccc(cc2)NC(=O)c2c(F)c(F)c(c(F)c2F)C(=O)1

This specifies connectivity; it does not assert a unique three-dimensional conformation of the macrocycle.

3.6 — Stacking energies of COF-8

One primitive repeat contains one D2-derived node and one E1-derived node. Its aromatic rings are:

  • three peripheral benzene rings from D2;
  • one central 1,3,5-triazine ring from D2;
  • one benzene ring from E1.

Thus there are four benzene rings and one triazine ring per repeat. Benzene is c1ccccc1; 1,3,5-triazine is c1ncncn1.

The given AA′ energy verifies this count:

\[ 4(-12.6)+(-16.7) =-67.1\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

For AA, all corresponding rings are directly superposed:

\[ E_{\mathrm{AA}} =4E_{\mathrm{b-b}}+E_{\mathrm{t-t}} =4(-7.9)+(-6.7) =\boxed{-38.3\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

For AB, the displacement places an E1-derived benzene node over a D2-derived triazine node. There is one such aromatic contact per primitive repeat. The other node lies over a pore, and the peripheral phenylene rings are not mutually registered.

Therefore,

\[ E_{\mathrm{AB}} =E_{\mathrm{b-t}} =\boxed{-49.8\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

For the slightly displaced AB′ arrangement, use the displaced benzene–triazine interaction:

\[ E_{\mathrm{AB'}} =\boxed{-55.6\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

The contact accounting is:

Arrangement b-b pairs b-t pairs t-t pairs Energy / \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)
AA 4 0 1 −38.3
AA′, given check 4 0 1 −67.1
AB 0 1 0 −49.8
AB′ 0 1 0 −55.6

Each aromatic pair is counted once, despite involving two layers.

3.7 — Uptake capacity and uranyl ions per pore

The absorbed uranyl mass is

\[ \begin{aligned} m_{\mathrm{absorbed}} &=(C_0-C_e)V\\ &=(19.90-9.225)\ \mathrm{mg\,dm^{-3}} \times0.2000\ \mathrm{dm^3}\\ &=2.135\ \mathrm{mg}. \end{aligned} \]

Hence

\[ q_e=\frac{2.135\ \mathrm{mg}}{0.005000\ \mathrm g} =\boxed{427.0\ \mathrm{mg\,g^{-1}}}. \]

To determine the number of ions per pore, first find the framework mass associated with one pore.

D2 and E1 have formulas \(\ce{C24H15N3O3}\) and \(\ce{C12H9N3}\), respectively. Three condensations per repeat give

\[ \ce{C24H15N3O3 + C12H9N3 -> (C36H18N6)_{$repeat$} + 3H2O}. \]

Hydroxylamine, NO, converts each nitrile into an amidoxime, represented by [*]C(=NO)N:

\[ \ce{R-C#N + NH2OH -> R-C(=N-OH)-NH2}. \]

There are three nitriles per repeat, so

\[ \ce{(C36H18N6)_{$repeat$} + 3NH2OH -> (C36H27N9O3)_{$repeat$}}. \]

Therefore,

\[ \begin{aligned} M_{\mathrm{COF-9,repeat}} &=36(12.01)+27(1.008)+9(14.01)+3(16.00)\\ &=633.666\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

A honeycomb pore has six vertices, each shared among three pores. It therefore corresponds to two complete nodes: one D2-derived node and one E1-derived node. Thus one primitive repeat corresponds to one pore.

The uranyl ion, O=[U+2]=O, has a linear \(\ce{O-U-O}\) unit and molar mass

\[ M_{\ce{UO2^{2+}}}=238.03+2(16.00) =270.03\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \]

The amounts in the experiment are

\[ n_{\ce{UO2^{2+}}} =\frac{2.135\times10^{-3}}{270.03} =7.907\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol}, \]

\[ n_{\mathrm{pores}} =\frac{5.000\times10^{-3}}{633.666} =7.891\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Their ratio is

\[ \frac{n_{\ce{UO2^{2+}}}}{n_{\mathrm{pores}}} =1.002 \approx\boxed{1\ \text{uranyl ion per pore}}. \]

The solution was checked against the official solution.