Synthesis of highly photostable blue-emitting 1,8-naphthalimides and their acrylonitrile copolymers

Two novel highly photostable blue-emitting 1,8-naphthalimides, containing active fragments of a hindered amine radical scavenger and an s-triazine UV absorber were designed as multifunctional additives capable of simultaneous fluorescent brightening and photostabilization of polymers. Their light absorption and fluorescence properties have been determined and discussed. The ability of the combined fluorescent brighteners to copolymerize with acrylonitrile was demonstrated by obtaining acrylonitrile copolymers with an intense blue fluorescence. Photodegradation of the new fluorophores and their influence on the photostability of the fluorescent copolymers have been studied and compared to other similar 1,8-naphthalimides, not containing either UV absorber or hindered amine fragment in their molecules as well as not containing both of them. Novel fluorophores showed the best photostability in both solution and polymer. A significant photostabilizing effect towards photodegradation of polyacrylonitrile was found.