Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity Containing [2.2]Paracyclophane Moieties: Synthesis and Gas Sorption Properties

The unique structure of [2.2]paracyclophane (PCP) with its rigidity, stability,
and planar chirality has gained significant attention in polymer and material
research. In this work, the incorporation of amino-functionalized PCPs within
polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) is reported for the first time. Three
different PCP-PIMs were prepared via a Tröger’s base formation mechanism,
and their structures characterized via solid-state NMR, MALDI-TOF, and
SEM. Their porosity was evaluated using gas adsorption (N$_2$ and CO$_2$ ) based
on theoretical calculations such as Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), NLDFT
pore size distribution (PSD) and ideal IAST CO$_2$ /N$_2$ selectivity (15/85), a crucial separation when considering the capture of CO$_2$ from flue gas. The surface areas were found to be between 200–230 m$^2$ g$^{−1}$ while the selectivity
for CO$_2$ /N$_2$ ranged from 46 to 70.