The present article gives an overview on current developments in the area of microporous polymers, that is polymers that have permanent pores of sizes below 2 nm. Basic concepts of the synthetic procedures are reviewed, and latest developments are discussed. Special interest is placed on developments that allow the synthesis of microporous polymers in well‐defined macroscopic morphologies such as particles, membranes, or monolithic structures.
The various possibilities of microporosity characterization are discussed. Concepts adopted from the polymer membrane community such as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy or the zeolite community (
129
Xe‐NMR, gas adsorption), as well as modern molecular modeling approaches are discussed. The various findings are combined, and open questions (which are still present in the field of microporous polymers) are pointed out.
Latest developments regarding the application of microporous polymers in various technologies, ranging from adsorption science to optoelectronic and energy‐related applications are discussed finally. A critical comparison to other microporous materials such as zeolites or carbon is given, whenever appropriate.