An Elastic Monolithic Catalyst: A Microporous Metalloporphyrin-Containing Framework-Wrapped Melamine Foam for Process-Intensified Acyl Transfer

The advent of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has had significant impact in catalysis. However, the presence of only micropores in these polymers often imposes diffusion limitations, which has resulted in the low utilization of CMPs in catalytic reactions. Herein, the preparation of a foam-supporting CMP composite with interconnective micropores and macropores and elastic properties is reported. Metalloporphyrin-based CMP organogels are synthesized within the melamine foam by a room-temperature oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes. Upon drying, the CMP-based xerogels tightly wrap the framework skeletons of the foam, while the foam cells are still open to allow for the preservation of elasticity and macroporosity. Such a hierarchical structure is efficient for acyl transfer, facilitates substrate diffusion within interpenetrative macropores and micropores, and could be used to intensify catalytic processes.