Three photochromic monomers containing a permanent dipole photochromic azob
enzene group spaced from the methacryloyl moiety by a polymethylene segment
were synthesized in three steps starting from 4-cyanoaniline. The monomers
were homopolymerized and copolymerized with an optically active monomer, (
-)-menthyl methacrylate, in the presence of AIBN as a radical initiator. St
ructurally similar amphiphilic polymers were obtained by homopolymerization
of analogous methacrylates in which oligo(oxyethylene) segments replaced t
he polymethylene spacers. The polymeric materials, having a molar content o
f photochromic units between 5 and 100% and molecular weights of about 15,0
00, were characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, 1D and 2D NM
R. Mobility and photochromic properties in solution were also investigated.