Thioaminal Covalent Adaptable Networks via Thiol–Aldehyde–Amine Multicomponent Polymerization

Multicomponent polymerization (MCP) has the advantages of high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, and high yield and has been widely used to synthesize multifunctional polymers. In this report, we develop novel covalent adaptable networks (CANs) with dynamic thioaminal covalent bonds via a simple one-pot thiol-aldehyde-amine MCP. The dynamic behaviors of the thioaminal group are demonstrated. The obtained thioaminal CANs show the tensile strength of as high as 45 MPa via MCP of pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionate), the mixture of formaldehyde and benzaldehyde, and 4,4'-methylenedianiline. Moreover, the CANs exhibit reprocessability, recyclability, and reconfigurable shape memory behaviors. Thus, the thiol-aldehyde-amine MCP represents a simple and efficient strategy for the preparation of versatile thioaminal CANs.