Diels–Alder polymerization of difurans with bismaleimides

Abstract

This study describes the synthesis of polyadducts formed by successive Diels–Alder reactions. The monomers used involved a bis-diene bearing two furan rings and two different bis-dienophiles, both containing terminal maleimide functions. Model compounds and reactions proved particularly useful for the establishment of the most adequate reaction conditions and for assessing the spectroscopic features related to the adduct structures. It was found that the mechanism of chain growth was not perturbed by detectable side reactions, but that polymers precipitated at an early stage of their development. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry