4-Vinylbenzyl chloride based porous spherical polymer supports derived from water-in-oil-in-water emulsions

4-Vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) based water-in-oil-in-water emulsions with 85% pore volume and 70% VBC in organic phase were prepared and polymerised by free radical polymerisation. Porous spherical particles of diameters between 50 and 150 μm were obtained and their morphological structure and reactivity studied by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Strong influence of the suspension stabiliser, namely poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), on the particle form was found. Diameters of spherical polymers particles depend on the PVP concentration, being larger with the lower concentration of PVP. Reactivity of novel supports was demonstrated by the reactions with piperidine, piperazine, tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, all yielding corresponding amine derivatives.