Photocuring of cinnamic carbohydrate esters: Controlling the reaction by monocinnamoylated derivatives

A monofunctional and a polyfunctional monomer were studied for use as potential co-photopolymers. The monomers were the totally cinnamoylated derivatives of p-nitrophenol (PNPCN) and d-manitol (MNTCN), and their structures were characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. The derivatives obtained were cross-linked by irradiation in the ultraviolet region, where the photosensitive monomers showed maximum sensitivity. The thermal properties of these photosensitive monomers and the mixtures prepared with different MNTCN:PNPCN ratios were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry under nitrogen atmosphere, and their photoreactivity was investigated in thin films. Photoreaction products were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. The effect of PNPCN as a chain blocker in the MNTCN photocrosslinking reaction was evaluated by UV–visible spectroscopy and by 1H NMR.