Novel hybrid monomers bearing cycloaliphatic epoxy and 1-propenyl ether groups

The synthesis of a novel series of hybrid monomers containing cationically polymerizable cycloaliphatic epoxide and l-propenyl ether functional groups in the same molecule has been conducted. Detailed structure-reactivity stu dies of the diaryliodonium salt-induced cationic photopolymerizations of th ese monomers indicate that the rate of epoxide ring-opening polymerization is markedly enhanced by the presence of the l-propenyl ether group. At the same time, the polymerization of the 1-propenyl ether groups in such hybrid monomers is retarded. A mechanism involving the free-radical-induced decom position of the photoinitiator has been proposed which serves to amplify th e rate of the photoinitiated cationic epoxide ring-opening polymerization.