Synthesis of novel highly reactive silicone-epoxy monomers for cationic photopolymerizations

A series of novel cationically photopolymerizable silicone-epoxide monomers bearing substituted benzyl ether groups were prepared. Monomers with methoxy groups on the aromatic ring of the benzyl ether group were synthesized by sequential hydrosylation reactions of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane. Kinetic studies using real-time infrared spectroscopy of the cationic photopolymerizations of these novel monomers showed that those monomers with methoxy groups exhibited elevated rates of photopolymerization. The acceleration effect was explained on the basis of synergistic effects of two mechanisms, namely, the normal ring opening polymerization catalyzed by a Brönstead acid, and the cationic photopolymerization induced by the redox interaction between the free radicals formed in the backbone of the monomer and the onium salt used as photoinitiator. The methoxy groups on the aromatic ring of the benzyl ether enhance the stabilization of the carbocation formed in the structure of the monomer. Silicone-epoxy monomer with 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl ether group exhibited the higher photopolymerization rate. The latter compound can also be used as accelerator of the cationic photopolymerization of commercial silicone-epoxy monomer when used in low concentrations.