Photochemically masked benzophenone: Photoinitiated free radical polymerization by using benzodioxinone

A new photoinitiating system for free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) is reported. This system consists of benzodioxinone and hydrogen donors such as triethylamine (TEA), N,N-dimethyl ethanol amine (DMEA) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). A feasible mechanism involves photoinduced formation of benzophenone from benzodioxinone and subsequent hydrogen abstraction of photoexcited benzophenone from hydrogen donors to yield radicals capable of initiating polymerization of MMA.