Functionalized Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for Toxic Chemical Filtration

Sorption or passivation of volatile toxic compounds is a critical need in industrial settings as well as in response to the use of chemical weapons. The sorption capabilities of a prototypical intrinsically microporous polymer (PIM-1) and derivatives bearing primary amine and guanidine groups were tested against five toxic industrial chemicals and three chemical warfare agents. In every case but one (ammonia under humid conditions), one or more of the organic polymers significantly outperformed standard sorbents UiO-66-NH2 (a metal–organic framework) and UFR carbon. The pattern of performance suggests a complex interplay of factors in passivation reactions, including the activity of adsorbed water, the amine nucleophilicity, and the weakly acidic nature of the guanidinium group.