Microporous Materials Based on Norbornadiene-Based Cross-Linked Polymers

New microporous homopolymers were readily prepared from norbornadiene-2,5, its dimer and trimer by addition (vinyl) polymerization of the corresponding monomers with 60–98% yields. As a catalyst Pd-N-heterocyclic carbene complex or Ni(II) 2-ethylhexanoate activated with Na⁺[B(3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄]⁻ or methylaluminoxane was used. The synthesized polynorbornenes are cross-linked and insoluble. They are glassy and amorphous polymers. Depending on the nature of the catalyst applied, BET surface areas were in the range of 420–970 m²/g. The polymers with the highest surface area were obtained in the presence of Pd-catalysts from the trimer of norbornadiene-2,5. The total pore volume of the polymers varies from 0.39 to 0.79 cm³/g, while the true volume of micropores was 0.14–0.16 cm³/g according to t-plot. These polymers gave CO₂ uptake from 1.2 to 1.9 mmol/g at 273 K and 1 atm. The porous structure of new polymers was also studied by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.