Synthesis and photopolymerization kinetics of lower odor benzophenone derivative photoinitiators

Abstract Seven lower odor benzophenone (BP) derivatives (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c) based on 4‐hydroxybenzophenone(1) were synthesized and characterized by 1 H NMR, Mass, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was carried out to research the photopolymerization mechanism. The kinetics of photopolymerization was studied by differential scanning photocalorimetry (photo‐DSC). The results showed that 2a–d with uni‐BP moiety were more effective photoinitiators (PIs) than 3a–c with bi‐BP moieties, and 2c was the most effective one which could be a promising candidate for BP alternative in practical application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.