Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs): Bridging the Void between Microporous and Polymeric Materials

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 11; no. 9; pp. 2610 - 2620
• Main Authors: McKeown, Neil B., Budd, Peter M., Msayib, Kadhum J., Ghanem, Bader S., Kingston, Helen J., Tattershall, Carin E., Makhseed, Saad, Reynolds, Kevin J., Fritsch, Detlev
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 22-04-2005; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: gas separation; membranes; microporous materials; phthalocyanines; polymers
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.200400860

Novel types of microporous material are required for chemoselective adsorptions, separations and heterogeneous catalysis. This concept article describes recent research directed towards the synthesis of polymeric materials that possess microporosity that is intrinsic to their molecular structures. These polymers (PIMs) can exhibit analogous behaviour to that of conventional microporous materials, but, in addition, may be processed into convenient forms for use as membranes. The excellent performance of these membranes for gas separation and pervaporation illustrates the unique character of PIMs and suggests immediate technological applications.
Holey polymers! The use of fused‐ring spirocyclic linking groups leads to polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs; an example is illustrated here) from which adsorbents, heterogeneous catalysts and separation membranes can be derived.