Refractive Index Changes in Polymers Bearing Pendant Active Ester Groups by Thermal Rearrangement Reaction

Linear and branched polymers bearing S-(2-benzoxazolyl) thioester groups were selectively synthesized by free radical and photoinitiated radical polymerization, respectively, of S-(2-benzoxazolyl)-4-vinylthiobenzoate. Upon heating, the pendant S-(2-benzoxazolyl) thioester groups were converted to 3-acylbenzoxazoline-2-thione groups, accompanied with a change of refractive index (Delta n) of about +0.01 in both cases. The structural conversion was confirmed by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, as well as comparison with authentic polymers bearing 3-acylbenzoxazoline-2-thione groups (similarly synthesized from 3-(4-vinylbenzoyl)benzoxazoline-2-thione). Application of such thermally induced rearrangement reactions may provide a new approach for obtaining materials whose refractive index can be changed by heat (e.g., generated by a laser beam).