One-step synthesis of a cyclic 2,17-dioxo[3,3](4,4 ')biphenylophane and first preparation of a microporous polymer network from a macrocyclic precursor by cyclotrimerization

One-step synthesis of a cyclic 2,17-dioxo[3,3](4,4') biphenylophane (MC) was achieved in high yield; its structure was verified by single crystal X-ray analysis. As a first example, a microporous polymer network was formed from macrocycle MC via acid-catalysed cyclotrimerization yielding a BET surface area of ca. 570 m(2) g(-1).