Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) are attractive materials for applications where high surface area and material stability govern performance. Most of the highest surface area PAFs are synthesized using poorly scalable and costly methods involving super-stoichiometric bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Nickel(0) (Ni(COD)2). This communication describes a general approach for the synthesis of high surface area PAFs that does not use isolated Ni(COD)2. The method is general to at least seven microporous polymers and can be conducted on gram scales without the use of an inert atmosphere glovebox. This work is expected to improve the synthetic accessibility of these materials.