Abilities of 1-(9-anthrylmethyloxy)-2-pyridone and related compounds to initiate radical and cationic photopolymerizations

This study explored the abilities of 1-(9-anthrylmethyloxy)-2-pyridone and related compounds, which absorb long-wavelength light (>350 nm), to photochemically initiate radical and cationic polymerizations. It was found that the irradiation of the title compounds initiates the radical polymerization of styrene whereas the cationic polymerization of oxetane proceeds in the presence of these photoinitiators to a negligible extent. The behavior of 9-anthrylmethyloxyl and amidyl radicals in the photopolymerization process of styrene was discussed based on H-1 NMR, UV, and fluorescence spectral data. In addition, the photoinitiation ability of the anthrylmethyloxyl end group was also investigated by using its model compound. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.