Stereoisomeric effects in thermo-remendable polymer networks based on Diels-Alder crosslink reactions

The furan heterocycle is a dienic reagent particularly suitable for the Diels-Alder reaction and maleimides represent a typical family of complementary reagents because of their strong dienophilic character. This paper reviews critically the studies devoted to the exploitation of the Diels Alder reaction between those moieties to synthesise macromolecular materials possessing different structures and properties. The most relevant approaches in this field are (i) polycondensation reactions calling upon A-A and B-B monomers and (ii) reversible cross-linking of linear polymers bearing pendant furan or maleimide moieties, based on the temperature sensitivity of the Diels-Alder equilibrium.