AB2 polymerization on hollow microporous organic polymers: engineering of solid acid catalysts for the synthesis of soluble cellulose derivatives

Abstract

This work shows a new post-synthetic strategy of a microporous organic polymer (MOP) based on AB₂ polymerization chemistry (polymerization of AB₂-type monomers). Hollow MOP (H-MOP) platforms were prepared by template synthesis via Sonogashira coupling of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-diethynylbenzene. The amount of terminal alkynes in the H-MOP was amplified via AB₂ polymerization. Through the thiol–yne click reaction, aliphatic sulfonic acids were incorporated into the terminal alkyne-enriched H-MOP. The resultant solid acid catalysts showed efficient performance in the synthesis of soluble cellulose derivatives.