Silicone Boronates Reversibly Crosslink Using Lewis Acid– Lewis Base Amine Complexes

Silicone elastomers are normally thermosets, which are not readily recycled or repurposed. The few examples of thermoplastic silicone elastomers depend on reversible covalent and non-covalent molecular interactions. It is demonstrated that amine-boronate complex formation provides a simple and flexible route to reversible crosslinked silicones. A variety of network structures were prepared by use of terminal and pendantly functionalised silicone boronates and amines. The crosslink density was quantified using a combination of Shore-hardness measurements, swelling, and rheological analyses. Stress induced by compressive force could be relieved through dynamic B-N bond reformation at 60 °C. Materials could be fully disassembled through introduction of n-butylamine and successfully reformed upon removal of the monofunctional amine by evaporation.