Investigating the synthesis, properties and Diels–Alder reactivity of diene-functional branched polyesters using copolymerisation of furfuryl methacrylate under transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT) conditions

Diels–Alder reactions have been of considerable interest for many years and strategies for polymeric diene synthesis have predominantly relied on controlled radical polymerisation techniques to avoid unwanted side reactions of furan rings. Alternatively, modification of step-growth polymers or syntheses has been employed to introduce furans into step-group backbones or as pendant groups. Here we have used conventional free radical chemistries employed under TBRT conditions to synthesise branched furan-functional polyester resins with pendant furan rings using furfuryl methacrylate as a feedstock. No adverse side reactions were evident and the resulting high molecular weight polymers were readily able to undergo reversible gelation, using a commercially available bismaleimide, thereby opening new avenues for Diels–Alder resin design.