Reversible click chemistry at the service of macromolecular materials. Part 1: Kinetics of the Diels–Alder reaction applied to furan–maleimide model compounds and linear polymerizations

The model Diels–Alder reaction of furfuryl acetate with N-methylmaleimide and the linear polymerization of the corresponding difunctional monomers were followed by both UV and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained from this study provided clear-cut indications about the most appropriate conditions to be applied in the preparation of novel macromolecular materials based in part on renewable resources and possessing thermoreversible, mendable and recycling features, among other properties.