The thermolysis and photochemistry of hybrid initiators for 'living' free radical polymerization

A new initiator potentially capable of both thermal and photochemical initi ation of 'living' free radical polymerization (LFRP) has been prepared. Bot h of these reaction pathways have been examined and identified in terms of their products. The thermal reaction is highly dependent on the reaction co nditions and displays competitive radical and ionic reactivity. In the pres ence of a proton source, the ionic pathway is highly favored. Photochemical activation leads predominantly to Norrish type I cleavage where the photop roducts further react by alpha-cleavage resulting in the formation of benza ldehyde. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.