4-Hydroxymethyl phenyl (Wang linker) moieties and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane were immobilised onto vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene porous polymer matrixes via displacement of the chlorine in chloromethyl groups. Both monolithic forms and ground particles of polymerised high internal phase emulsions (PolyHIPE, 90%., pore volume) of 4-vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene (molar ratio of 60/40, 75/25 and 78/22) and also chloromethylated polystyrene beads gave high conversions thus yielding functionalised polymers with a remarkably high loading of OH groups per gram of polymer support (highest obtained loading 8.1 mmol of OH groups per grain of polymer). The reactivity of these novel polymer supports was demonstrated by the immobilisation of 4-iodobenzoic acid, which is frequently used in the preparation of biaryl compounds by Suzuki coupling reactions. Additionally, the emulsion derived polymers were used to scavenge acetyl chloride and a dependence of scavenging ability on the porosity was found (being higher with higher porosity). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.