Novel Highly Efficient Organophotocatalysts: Truxene-Acridine-1,8-diones as Photoinitiators of Polymerization

Truxene-acridine-1,8-dione derivatives (Tr_AD) are proposed as new photoinitiators of polymerization under very soft irradiation (by a household halogen lamp), as well as laser-diode exposure at 405 nm. They exhibit a strong absorption around 380 nm. The Tr_AD/diphenyl iodonium salt/9-vinylcarbazole combination is able to promote the ring-opening polymerization of an epoxide, whereas the Tr_AD/alkyl halide/amine system is very efficient in initiating the radical photopolymerization of an acrylate. Excellent polymerization profiles are obtained. Acrylate/epoxide blends are also easily polymerized. These Tr_ADs in the three-component systems behave as photocatalysts according to oxidative cycles. The mechanisms are discussed for the different multicomponent initiating systems.