Synthesis, properties and photolysis of new iodonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)gallate photoinitiators and comparison with their indate and aluminate analogs

A series of new iodonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)gallates were synthesized in high yield via an improved preparation of the lithium gallate, their photoproducts analyzed by UV, 19F NMR and GC–MS spectra and a photolysis mechanism postulated. The stability of these photoinitiators was also compared with their borate, aluminate and indate analogs.