Development of 1‐Hydroxy‐2(1H)‐quinolone‐Based Photoacid Generators and Photoresponsive Polymer Surfaces

Abstract A new class of carboxylate and sulfonate esters of 1‐hydroxy‐2(1 H )‐quinolone has been demonstrated as nonionic photoacid generators (PAGs). Irradiation of carboxylates and sulfonates of 1‐hydroxy‐2(1 H )‐quinolone by UV light ( λ ≥310 nm) resulted in homolysis of weak NO bond leading to efficient generation of carboxylic and sulfonic acids, respectively. The mechanism for the homolytic NO bond cleavage was supported by time‐dependent DFT calculations. Photoresponsive 1‐( p ‐styrenesulfonyloxy)‐2‐quinolone–methyl methacrylate (SSQL‐MMA) and 1‐( p ‐styrenesulfonyloxy)‐2‐quinolone–lauryl acrylate (SSQL‐LA) copolymers were synthesized from PAG monomer 1‐( p ‐styrenesulfonyloxy)‐2‐quinolone, and subsequently controlled surface wettability was demonstrated for the above‐mentioned photoresponsive polymers.