Heterogeneous organocatalysts composed of microporous polymer networks assembled by Tröger's base formation

Abstract

Microporous polymer networks are assembled from triamino-triptycene monomers using a polymerisation reaction based on the formation of Tröger's base (TB). The highly rigid triptycene units ensure that the polymer networks demonstrate significant intrinsic microporosity as demonstrated by apparent surface areas of up to 1000 m² g⁻¹. These networks act as heterogeneous basic catalysts which enhance greatly the rate of a model Knovenagel reaction between malonontrile and benzaldehyde. Indeed, the microporous networks, which possess a high concentration of basic sites, enhance the rate of the Knovenagel reaction even more efficiently than using Tröger's base as a homogeneous catalyst.