Metal Catalysis with Knitting Aryl Polymers: Design, Catalytic Applications, and Future Trends

In 2011, a new type of hyper-cross-linked polymers (HCPs) arose, known as knitting aromatic polymers (KAPs), characterized by their extraordinary chemical and thermal stability, by their porosity properties, and above all, for the simplicity of their synthesis based on the union of aromatic monomers, without any previous functionalization. The next logical step was the incorporation of metals within these networks, as support for different soluble molecular catalysts or metal nanoparticles (NPs). Thus, the number of metal-containing KAPs has been gradually growing in the past decade, and we have considered that now, in the 10th anniversary of the first KAPs reported, a review of all the metal-containing KAPs and their application as heterogeneous metal catalysts is mandatory. In this review, the most relevant characteristics of all KAPs that contain metals are summarized, divided into two large groups, either as metal complexes or as metal NPs, and classified according to the type of metal incorporated. Finally, the catalytic activities were compared based on the metal employed in each studied reaction, and the future goals of these types of materials are commented on.

Automated summary

Knitting aromatic polymers (KAPs) are a new type of hyper-cross-linked polymers characterized by extraordinary chemical and thermal stability, porosity properties, and simplicity in synthesis. By incorporating metals within these networks as support for different catalysts, the number of metal-containing KAPs has been gradually increasing in the past decade. This review summarizes the characteristics of metal-containing KAPs, compares their catalytic activities based on the type of metal used, and discusses future goals for these materials.