Template synthesis of porous organic polymers

This review describes the possibilities of using templates to create organi c polymer networks with new architectures and functionalities. Examples are given for the whole range of templates starting from functional organic mo lecules (molecular imprinting) to organized arrays of solid colloids (collo idal imprinting) up to micelles, microemulsions and lyotropic phases (self- organized templates), whereas classical thermodynamic techniques like addit ion of structural cosolvents or gelation during precipitation polymerizatio n, are not considered. Also some examples for potential applications of the discussed porous polymer gels are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.