Synthesis, Properties, and Gas Separation Studies of a Robust Diimide-Based Microporous Organic Polymer

We report the synthesis of a new porous organic polymer based on condensation of inexpensive anhydride- and amine-bearing building blocks. The condensation produces a remarkably robust polyimide (nominally a diamond-type network) that retains its porosity after solvent evacuation and after prolonged soaking in water, aq. 0.1M HCl, or 50:50 triethylamine:DMF. This material features high surface area (900 m2/g) and pores of appropriate size and composition to capture CO2 from mixtures with methane.