2,4,6-trichlorophenyl acrylate emulsion-templated porous polymers (PolyHIPEs). Morphology and reactivity studies

A series of monolithic crosslinked polymers with 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl acrylate as a reactive component was prepared by free radical polymerization of the internal phases of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). The volume ratio of water to oil phase (void volume; 60-90%), crosslinker type (divinylbenzene or ethylenglycol dimethacrylate) and quantity (30-50 mol %) and type of porogenic solvent (chlorobenzene, toluene, chloroform, dichloroethane) were altered to study these effects on the structure and reactivity of the monolithic polymers. The polymer supports were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. SEM images revealed an open cellular structure with voids between 1 and 12 mu m and window sizes between 0.3 and 3 mu m. The porogen had an influence on the surface area, being larger with added porogen and the influence being highest with toluene. Adding toluene also influenced the void size, increasing the average diameter from similar to 2 mu m (no porogen) to similar to 12 mu m (added toluene). Monolithic supports were functionalized. by reaction of the ester moieties with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine derivative and by hydrolysis of the ester groups to carboxylic acids.