The synthesis and characterization of some polymeric type-1 photoinitiators based on α-hydroxymethylbenzoin and α-hydroxymethylbenzoin methyl ether

Abstract The acrylic and methacrylic esters of α -hydroxymethylbenzoin and α -hydroxymethylbenzoin methyl ether, respectively, are synthesized and thermally copolymerized with methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate using a chain transfer agent in some cases to control the molecular weight of the copolymers. The products are characterized by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and UV-absorption spectroscopy. Certain copolymers exhibited hyperchromism. The photodecomposition of the copolymers in the presence of suitable radical trapping agents shows their potential as photoinitiators.