DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF PHOTOACTIVE POLYMER SYSTEMS BASED ON AMINE-CATALYZED INTRAMOLECULAR IMIDIZATION OF POLYMER SIDE-CHAINS

A novel family of functionalized polystyrenes that can undergo base-ca talyzed intramolecular side-chain imidization is reported. The thermal behaviors of poly(4-vinylphenyl succinamate), poly(4- vinylphenyl glu taramate), poly(4-vinylphenyl 3,3-dimethylglutaramate), and poly(4-vin ylphenyl phthalamate), as well as their optical properties and chemica l reactivities in the presence of an added amine have been studied. Wi th the exception of poly(4-vinylphenyl phthalamate), the polymers are thermally stable up to 200 degrees C and have a relatively low optical density below 300 nm. A general trend for the ease of imidization of the polymers is summarized as follows: poly(4-vinylphenyl phthalamate) > poly(4- vinylphenyl succinamate) > poly(4-vinylphenyl 3,3-dimethylg lutaramate) > poly(4-vinylphenyl glutaramate). Photoactive polymer sys tems were obtained by mixing either poly(4-vinylphenyl succinamate) or poly(4-vinylphenyl 3,3-dimethylglutaramate) with some s((2,6-dinitrob enzyl)oxycarbonyl)hexan-1,6-diamine used as an amine photogenerator. I maging of films of the polymers, as well as the effect of structure on their reactivity is discussed.