Centrotriindane- and triptindane-based polymers of intrinsic microporosity

In this paper we describe the synthesis and physical characterisation of polymers derived from hydroxyl containing bowl-shaped “centrotriindane” and propellane-type “triptindane” monomers using the dibenzodioxin-forming polymerisation reaction with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile. Evaluation of the microporosity of the resulting polymers via nitrogen adsorption measurements revealed apparent Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas in the range of 555–1039 m2 g−1 which can be related to the distinct shape of the monomeric units. An evaluation of the shape of the monomers, using X-ray crystallography, helps to explain the degree of microporosity of the polymers from which they are made.