Photoinitiated cationic polymerization by triarylselenonium salts

Triarylselenonium salts with complex metal halide anions such as BF, AsF, and SbF have been prepared and have been shown to be efficient photoinitiators of cationic polymerization. The photolysis rates of these compounds were studied and their quantum yields of photolysis were reported. Use of specific triarylselenonium salts in the polymerizations of cyclohexene oxide, epichlorohydrin, and 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether are described.