We synthesized a Yb(III)-incorporated microporous polymer (Yb-ADA) and studied its gas adsorption property and catalytic activity. The adamantane-based porous polymer (ADA) was obtained from an ethynyl-functionalized adamantane derivative and 2,5-dibromoterephthalic acid through Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling. ADA had two carboxyl groups which were used for Yb(III) coordination under basic conditions. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of ADA was 970 m(2) g(-1). As Yb(III) ions were incorporated into ADA, the surface area of the polymer (Yb-ADA) was reduced to 885 m(2) g(-1). However, Yb-ADA exhibited a significantly enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity despite the reduction of surface area. The CO2 uptakes of ADA and Yb-ADA were 1.56 and 2.36 mmol g(-1) at 298 K, respectively. The H-2 uptake of ADA also increased after coordination with Yb(III) from 1.15 to 1.40 wt % at 77 K. Yb-ADA showed high catalytic activity in the acetalization of 4-bromobenzaldehyde and furfural with trimethyl orthoformate and could be reused after recovery without severe loss of activity. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.