The emergence of oxime click chemistry and its utility in polymer science

The synthesis of new, highly functional and dynamic polymeric materials has risen dramatically since the introduction of click chemistry in 2001. This diverse set of reactions has led to the synthesis of self-healing and dynamic polymers, the creation of hydrogels exhibiting finely tuneable gelation times and mechanical properties and to the temporal and spatial control of chemical reactions enabling the 3D patterning of gels and surfaces with high fidelity. Traditionally, the copper catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), Diels–Alder and thiol–ene click reactions have been utilised but, owing to the demand for more environmentally friendly means of synthesis and the need for more versatile and tolerant chemistry, the imine, hydrazone, and most recently, oxime carbonyl-condensations have seen an astonishing increase in application. This review will focus on the oxime click reaction for the development of functional polymeric materials.