Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous material which is a non-network polymer having a chain comprised of repeating units bonded to each other and each including a first generally planar species and a rigid linker, the linker having a point of contortion such that two adjacent first planar species connected by a rigid linker are held in a non-coplanar orientation, the rigid linker further being such that the polymer chain has a rigid contorted structure, and the polymer being such that said repeating units comprised of the first generally planar species and the rigid linker are bonded predominately to two other such repeating units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous material which is a non-network polymer having a chain comprised of repeating units bonded to each other and each including a first generally planar species and a rigid linker, the linker having a point of contortion such that two adjacent first planar species connected by a rigid linker are held in a non-coplanar orientation, the rigid linker further being such that the polymer chain has a rigid contorted structure, and the polymer being such that said repeating units comprised of the first generally planar species and the rigid linker are bonded predominately to two other such repeating units.

Abstract: A microporous material comprises organic macromolecules comprised of first generally planar species connected by rigid linkers having a point of contortion such that two adjacent first planar species connected by the linker are held in non-coplanar orientation, subject to the proviso that the first species are other than porphyrinic macrocycles. Materials in accordance with the invention have a surface area of at least 300 m2 g?1, eg in the range 700-1500 m2 g?1. Preferred points of contortion are spiro groups, bridged ring moieties and sterically congested single covalent bonds around which there is restricted rotation.

Abstract: A microporous network material comprises a rigid 3-dimensional network of planer porphyrinic macrocycles in which pyrrole residues of adjacent macrocycles are connected by rigid linkers which restrain these adjacent macrocycles such that their porphyrinic planes are in a non-co-planar orientation. Material in accordance with the invention generally have a surface area of at least 300M2 g−1, e.g. in the range of 100-1000 m2 g−1. Preferred materials in accordance with the invention are phthalocyanine networks.

Abstract: Substituted phthalocyanines of a formula (I) ##STR1## wherein M is a metal atom or a metal halide or oxide, or M is 2H, one H being bonded to each of the bonding N atoms (29 and 31 positions) shown, R.sub.1 to R.sub.8 are the same or different and are independently selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, --X--COO--X.sup.1, --X--O--Y, .alpha., and --X--COZ where X is independently selected from a chemical bond, (--CH.sub.2).sub.n where n=0-20 or (CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.dbd.CH (--CH.sub.2).sub.b where a and b are independently selected from 0-20 and a+b is in the range 0-20, X.sup.1 is independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, Y is independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl or H and Z is selected from OH or NR.sup.1 R.sup.11 where R.sup.1 and R.sup.11 are independently selected from H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl and C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Phthalocyanine of formula (I), wherein M is a metal or is 2H, bonded at 29 and 31 positions shown, R.sub.1 to R.sub.8 are the same or different and are independently selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, --X--COO--X.sup.1, --X--O--Y, a, and --X--COZ where X is independently selected from a chemical bond, (CH.sub.2).sub.n where n-0-20 or (CH.sub.2).sub.a CH--CH (CH.sub.2).sub.b where a and b are independently selected from 0-20 and a+b is in the range 0-20, X.sup.1 is independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, Y is independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl or H and Z is selected from OH or NR.sup.1 R.sup.11 are independently selected from H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl and C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl. These phthalocyanines may exhibit discotic liquid crystal phases, absorb infra-red radiation and make good Langmuir-Blodgett films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vascular biomaterial that includes expanded PTFE and a haemocompatible membrane covalently bonded thereto. Also provided is a process for making the vascular biomaterial that involves chemically modifying the surface of expanded PTFE to provide a surface partially covered with for instance, a hydroxyl moiety, and covalently bonding a haemocompatible membrane to the chemically modified surface of expanded PTFE.