Synthesis of functionalised porous network silsesquioxane polymers

Porous polyhedral silsesquioxane (POSS)-based network polymers are prepared using hydrosilation copolymerisation reactions of a silyl-functionalised POSS molecule with a vinyl-functionalised moiety. Characterisation of these solids show them to possess pore structures in the mesoporous regime, and polymers with longer organic linking groups showing evidence of flexible wall structures. Functionalisation of the polymers is carried out by reaction with triflic acid or sodium hydroxide, followed by incorporation of CpTiCl3. EXAFS spectroscopy results are consistent with the titanium being coordinated to the oxygen atoms that make up part of a POSS unit.