Thioxanthone based 9-[2-(methyl-phenyl-amino)-acetyl]-thia-naphthacene-12-one as a visible photoinitiator

Photoinitiators that operate in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum have widespread applications. Thioxanthone based 9-[2-(methyl-phenyl-amino)-acetyl]-thia-naphthacene-12-one (TX-MPA) was synthesized and the characterization of this initiator was confirmed by spectral analysis methods. TX-MPA has excellent absorption properties in the visible range (ε480 nm=3576 L/mol.cm). Photophysical studies; fluorescence quantum yield (Фf=0.22, DPA), phosphorescence lifetime (τp=115 ms) and triplet lifetime (τ=190 ns) were explored. To explore the initiation mechanism of TX-MPA, besides the photophysical and photochemical studies, the polymer (PMMA) obtained from the photopolymerization studies was subjected to a phosphorescence study and τp was found to be 105 ms compared to 115 ms for the initiator TX-MPA which proved attachment of the initiator to the polymer. Possibly both intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen abstraction, occur during the initiation stage depending on the concentration of the initiator.