Four-center type photopolymerization in the solid state. IV. Polymerization of α,α′-dicyano-p-benzenediacrylic acid its derivatives

The solid-state photopolymerization of α,α′-dicyano-p-benzene diacrylic acid (p-CBA) series has been studied. p-CBA, its esters, amide, and a few other cyano derivatives were prepared and new polymers were obtained from p-CBA alkyl esters on irradiation of ultraviolet or visible light. Though the polymerization behavior differs with each monomer, polymerization proceeds in essentially the same manner as in the 2,5-distyrylpyrazine (DSP) and p-benzenediacrylic acid (BDA) series: the reaction proceeds topochemically forming polymer with a cyclobutane ring in the main chain. Properties of high polymer are typical of cyclobutane-containing polymer. That is, they are highly crystalline with high melting temperature and a limited solubility. The study on this series of compounds, as well as the DSP and p-BDA series, supports the generalization that solid-state dimerization can be extended to solid-state photopolymerization of compound having two dimerizable units in a molecule.