Thermoreversible nonlinear diels-alder polymerization of furan/plant oil monomers

Novel trifunctional monomers based on renewable resources were prepared and subsequently polymerized via the Diels-Alder (DA) polycondensation between furan and maleimide complementary moieties. Three basic approaches were considered for these nonlinear DA polycondensations, namely the use of (i) a bisfuran monomer in combination with a trismaleimide (A2 + B3 system) and (ii) a trisfuran monomer in conjunction with a bismaleimide (A3 + B2 system) leading to branched or crosslinked materials, and (iii) the use of monomers incorporating both furan and maleimide end groups (A2B or AB2 systems), which lead to hyperbranched structures. The application of the retro-DA reaction to the ensuing polymers confirmed their thermoreversible character. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013, 51, 2260-2270