The study investigates the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reversible tandem Diels–Alder (tDA) reaction between difuranic compounds and maleimides, leading to the quantitative formation of tDA adducts at rates comparable to their counterparts from the “classical” Diels–Alder (DA) reaction. The tDA adducts exhibited unprecedented thermal stability up to 250 °C, which is 100 °C higher than that of the DA adducts, owing to the higher activation energy (E_a) required for the initial intramolecular step of the reverse process. The stability of the tDA adducts was exploited in the AA + BB type polymerization of tetrafuranic monomers with bis(maleimides), yielding thermally stable (up to 200 °C) yet depolymerasable linear polymers with molecular weights of 10–20 kDa. Only furanic groups were identified as the end-groups of the resulting polymers, suggesting the possibility for post-polymerization and end-group modifications. NMR and GPC kinetic data offered insights into the intermediate formation of classical adducts during polymerization, as well as the stereochemistry of tDA adducts in the polymer chains. Combined thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, and TMA) provided a comprehensive understanding of the reverse DA reaction in the resulting materials. This relatively clean, catalyst- and byproduct-free, well-controlled process, which uses derivatives of biorenewables as monomers, heralds the formation of a new class of thermally recyclable polymers.

The repair efficiency of various self-healing materials often depends on the ability of the prepolymer and curing agent to form mixtures. This paper presents a synthesis and study of the properties of modified self-healing polyurethanes using the Diels–Alder reaction (DA reaction), obtained from a maleimide-terminated preform and a series of furan–urethane curing agents. The most commonly used isocyanates (4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)) and furan derivatives (furfurylamine, difurfurylamine, and furfuryl alcohol) were used as initial reagents for the synthesis of curing agents. For comparative analysis, polyurethanes were also obtained using the well-known “traditional” approach—from furan-terminated prepolymers based on mono- and difurfurylamine, as well as furfuryl alcohol and the often-used bismaleimide curing agent 1,10-(methylenedi-1,4-phenylene)bismaleimide (BMI). The structure and composition of all polymers were studied using spectroscopic methods. Molecular mass was determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermal properties were studied using TGA, DSC, and TMA methods. The mechanical and self-healing properties of the materials were investigated via a uniaxial tensile test. Visual assessment of the completeness of damage restoration after the self-healing cycle was carried out using a scanning electron microscope. It was shown that the proposed modified approach helps obtain more durable polyurethanes with a high degree of self-healing of mechanical properties after damage.

In the chemistry of bio-based furans, the Diels–Alder reaction plays an important role as a renewable route for the synthesis of fuels, fine chemicals, and monomers. Nonetheless, the unfavorable kinetic and thermodynamic parameters inherent to the Diels–Alder reaction involving furans as dienes often lead to the reversibility of cycloaddition, resulting in decreased equilibrium conversion and diastereoselectivity. In this study, we present a new strategy for overcoming the problem of reversibility in chemical reactions. We demonstrate that conducting the reaction under solvent-free conditions can facilitate the transition from a molten state formed by the initial reactants to a solid phase containing the reaction product along with an excess of the initial substrate. According to our results, such a liquid-to-solid transition of the reaction mixture can lead to exceptionally high conversion and diastereoselectivity in the furan–maleimide Diels–Alder reaction, particularly for challenging electron-poor furanic substrates. Our approach enables the reversible furan–maleimide Diels–Alder reaction to be performed in a cleaner and more environmentally friendly manner, free from the complexities associated with the use of solvents and the need for purification from side products.

The study investigates the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reversible tandem Diels-Alder (tDA) reaction between difuranic compounds and maleimides, leading to the quantitative formation of tDA adducts at rates comparable to their counterparts from the “classical” Diels-Alder (DA) reaction. The tDA adducts exhibited unprecedented thermal stability up to 250 °C, which is 100 °C higher than that of the DA adducts, owing to the higher activation energy (Ea) required for the initial intramolecular step of the reverse process. The stability of the tDA adducts was exploited in the AA + BB type polymerization of tetrafuranic monomers with bis(maleimides), yielding thermally stable (up to 200 °C) yet depolymerasable linear polymers with molecular weights of 10-20 kDa. Only furanic groups were identified as the end-groups of the resulting polymers, suggesting the possibility for post-polymerization and end-group modifications. NMR and GPC kinetic data offered insights into the intermediate formation of classical adducts during polymerization, as well as the stereochemistry of tDA adducts in the polymer chains. Combined thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, and TMA) provided a comprehensive understanding of the reverse DA reaction in the resulting materials. This relatively clean, catalyst- and byproduct-free, well-controlled process, which uses derivatives of biorenewables as monomers, heralds the formation of a new class of thermally recyclable polymers.