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The synthesis and characterization of a novel film‐forming organic cage and of its smaller analogue are here described. While the small cage produced single crystals suitable for X‐ray diffraction studies, the large one was isolated as a dense film. Due to its remarkable film‐forming properties, this latter cage could be solution processed into transparent thin‐layer films and mechanically stable dense self‐standing membranes of controllable thickness. Thanks to these peculiar features, the membranes were also successfully tested for gas permeation, reporting a behavior similar to that found with stiff glassy polymers such as polymers of intrinsic microporosity or polyimides. Given the growing interest in the development of molecular‐based membranes, for example for separation technologies and functional coatings, the properties of this organic cage were investigated by thorough analysis of their structural, thermal, mechanical and gas transport properties, and by detailed atomistic simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel imide/imine‐based organic cages have been prepared and studied as materials for the selective separation of CO2 from N2 and CH4 under vacuum swing adsorption conditions. Gas adsorption on the new compounds showed selectivity for CO2 over N2 and CH4. The cages were also tested as fillers in mixed‐matrix membranes for gas separation. Dense and robust membranes were obtained by loading the cages in either Matrimid® or PEEK‐WC polymers. Improved gas‐transport properties and selectivity for CO2 were achieved compared to the neat polymer membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: Gas Permeation through Mechanically Resistant Self-Standing Membranes of a Neat Amorphous Organic Cage (Chem. Eur. J. 56/2023) Keywords: gas transport; membranes; molecular materials; organic cages; thin films EN gas transport membranes molecular materials organic cages thin films 1 1 1 10/12/23 20231009 NES 231009 B Gas separation b : A novel organic cage with excellent film-forming tendencies was processed into transparent, mechanically robust, self-standing membranes of controllable thickness. Gas transport, membranes, molecular materials, organic cages, thin films. [Extracted from the article]