UV-induced room temperature synthesis of microporous ladder polymers with efficient photosensitization

Microporous ladder polymers (MLPs) represent a beneficial combination of porosities and processability for advanced separation and catalysis. Yet MLPs synthesis is halted by tedious condensation reactions, excessive catalysts and limited choices of monomers. The work reports the first example of room temperature synthesis of MLPs (PAnTB) through photopolymerization of contorted bisanthracene monomers under 365 nm light irradiation, being catalyst-free and atom-economy. PAnTB highlight intrinsically microporous properties (specific surface area: 554 m(2) g(-1)) and efficient photosensitization for the generation of singlet oxygen. This work opens the door to light-induced synthesis of MLPs with enriched monomer structures and functionalities, such as the metal-free degradation of organic contaminants using PAnTB alone under visible-light.