Conjugated microporous polycarbazole containing tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(III) complexes: phosphorescence, porosity, and heterogeneous organic photocatalysis

Based on two new triscyclometallated iridium complexes containing carbazolyl groups, conjugated microporous polymers (CPOP-20 and CPOP-21) were obtained through a FeCl3-promoted oxidative coupling reaction. Both of these complex monomers and their related polymers exhibit intense phosphorescence, which indicates that they are potential solid phosphorescent materials. The polymers are chemically and thermally stable, and show moderate Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area up to 480 m(2) g(-1). Furthermore, they are highly active in the heterogeneous photocatalytic aza-Henry reaction at room temperature for various substrates and show outstanding recycling performance with good retention of photoactivity over three cycles without a significant loss of conversion.