SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF 6-(ALKYLOXYPHENYL)CARBONYL SUBSTITUTED SPIROBENZOPYRAN

6-(Alkyloxyphenyl)carbonyl substituted spirobenzopyran (COSP) was synt hesized from 6-(hydroxyphenylcarbonyl)substituted salicylaldehyde and indoline, followed by alkylhydroxylation with 6-chloro-1-hexanol. Resu lting COSP was modified to a methacryloyl substituted COSP derivative, which was polymerized with styrene (ST) and butylmethacrylate (BMA) t o give a terpolymer of COSP-ST-BMA (PCOSP). COSP monomers and PCOSP we re thermally more stable than 6-nitrospirobenzopyran. Fast photochromi c coloration was observed from a COSP doped polymer or PCOSP film upon irradiation with a light of 340 nm (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.