EFFECTS OF CROSS-LINKING BY QUINONES ON DYEING OF IRRADIATED FILMS OFCOPOLYMERS BEARING PHOTOBASE GENERATING GROUPS

Films of copolymers of methyl methacrylate and O-acryloyl acetophenone oxime (AAPO), which is a monomer bearing photobase generating groups, were UV-irradiated and dyed in the presence of p-benzoquinone or 1,4- naphthoquinone. Acyloxyimino groups in AAPO units were transformed int o pendant amino groups on irradiation, and films became well dyeable w ith an acid dye. The quinones in the films caused crosslinking, which reduced the damage of the films during the dyeing processes compared t o those without quinones. Sublimed p-benzoquinone was also introduced into heated films after irradiation, which resulted in the success of lowering the surface roughness of the films during the dyeing processe s. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.