Benzotriazole Derivatives as Long Wavelength Photosensitizers for Diaryliodonium Salt Initiators

Two benzotriazole derivative dyes 4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2-dodecyl-2H-benzo[1,2,3]triazole, and 2-dodecyl-4,7-bis(4-hexylthiophen-2-yl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole are shown to work as efficient photosensitizers for a dipheny-liodonium salt initiator in cationic photopolymerization of epoxide and vinyl monomers. Substituted thienyl groups are attached to benzotriazole backbone to extend conjugation and enhance electron density of the molecules. Thereby, it was possible to initiate polymerizations at room temperature using long wavelength UV and visible light. The progress of photopolymerizations was monitored using optical pyrometry. The photopolymerization of an epoxide monomer using solar irradiation was also demonstrated. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 729-733, 2011