The photoinitiated cyclopolymerization of dienes in the creation of novel polymeric systems and three-dimensional networks

Abstract

In this article we describe the photo-initiated cyclopolymerization of 5-, 6- and 7-centre dienes. We find that substituted dienes can be cyclopolymerized in sunlight or by the use of a low-power UVA sunlamp of broad spectral range (320–400 nm). Unless activated by suitable electron withdrawing groups the cyclopolymerization can often be slow and incomplete. However, when suitably activated the polymerization rates can approach those for acrylates. In particular diallylamine, its quaternary salts, which can often be obtained as ionic fluids, and diallylamide, can be subjected to fairly rapid photocyclopolymerization to give robust coatings and adhesives. This discovery augments, and gives a different dimension, to the acrylate and methacrylate monomer and polymer systems that are already commercially available.