Triptycene-based organic molecules of intrinsic microporosity

Four Organic Molecules of Intrinsic Microporosity (OMIMs) were prepared by fusing triptycene-based components to a biphenyl core. Due to their rigid molecular structures that cannot pack space efficiently, these OMIMs form amorphous materials with significant microporosity as demonstrated by apparent BET surface areas in the range of 515–702 m2 g–1. Bulky cyclic 1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-1′,1′,4′,4′-tetramethylbenzo units placed on the triptycene termini are especially efficient at enhancing microporosity.