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Design and Synthesis of Co?initiators via Base?Catalysed Sequential Conjugate Addition: Application in Photoinduced Radical Polymerisation Reaction

A highly efficient synthesis of a co?initiator for a type?II photoinitiator promoted photoinduced radical polymerzation reaction via a barrierless catalytic sequential conjugate addition reaction. The computational study confirms the presence of a low HOMO?LUMO gap for the newly developed addition reaction. The 1,2?benzenedithiol?based co?initiator turned out to be very efficient for the polymerization and the resultant polymeric material has excellent physical properties for dental restoration and 3D?printing.Applications of photochemistry are becoming very popular in modern?day life due to its operational simplicity, environmentally friendly and economically sustainable nature in comparison to thermochemistry. In particular photoinduced radical polymerisation (PRP) reactions are finding more biological applications and especially in the areas of dental restoration processes, tissue engineering and artificial bone generation. A type?II photoinitiator and co?initiator?promoted PRP turned out to be a cost?effective protocol, and herein we report the design and synthesis of a new efficient co?initiator for a PRP reaction via a barrierless sequential conjugate addition reaction. Experimental mechanistic observations have been further complemented by computational data. Time for newly synthesised 1,2?benzenedithiol (DTH) based co?initiator promoted polymerisation of urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA, 70?%) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA, 30?%) in presence of 450?nm LED (15?W) under the aerobic conditions is 38?seconds. Polymeric material has high glass transition temperature, improved mechanical strength (860 BHN) and longer in?depth polymerisation (3?cm).

Publication date: 16/10/2023

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL

      

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870292.