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Initiation and termination pathways in the photopolymerization of acrylate using methyl phenylglyoxylate as an initiator

Abstract

The polymerization mechanism of acrylate initiated by methyl phenylglyoxylate was investigated. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra of the resultant polymer indicated that most polymers had either an acryloyl group or a benzoyl group as the initiating site. These results suggest that methyl phenylglyoxylate initiates polymerization by hydrogen abstraction from both a monomer and another initiator. These hydrogen abstraction-based polymerization reactions occur simultaneously but follow separate pathways. Polymers with acryloyl groups at both chain ends acted as cross-linkers in the subsequent polymerization involving gelation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Yuu Iida (Base Technology Center, Toagosei Co., Ltd) for his helpful counsel and discussion.

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Correspondence to Yasuyuki Sanai.

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41428_2019_288_MOESM1_ESM.doc

Supplementary Material for: Initiation and Termination Pathways in the Photopolymerization of Acrylate Using Methyl Phenylglyoxylate as an Initiator

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Sanai, Y., Kagami, S. & Kubota, K. Initiation and termination pathways in the photopolymerization of acrylate using methyl phenylglyoxylate as an initiator. Polym J 52, 375–385 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-019-0288-y

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