Synthesis of polymers of intrinsic microporosity using an AB-type monomer

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs), especially PIM-1 as one of best-known flagship PIMs, have shown great potential for a few membrane applications, especially gas separation. This research aimed to develop a convenient approach to an AB-type monomer with which PIM-1 could be formed via a self-condensation step growth polymerization. This AB-type monomer was synthesized in a chemo-selective one-step reaction using commercially available starting materials, and it was polymerized through self-condensation to give high-quality PIM-1 which was cast into robust films. The AB-type monomer and PIM-1 via AB and AA + BB route were characterized and gas permeability measurements were also conducted in this work. We believe this AB route is promising as an alternative polymerization protocol for PIMs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.