Synthesis and photochromism of polymer-bound phenoxyquinone derivatives

Acrylate- and styrene-derived polymers having pendant phenoxyquinones for photochromism were prepared by 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN)-initiated radical polymerization. Synthesis of the monomers were straightforward and the polymers were obtained in high yields in spite of the quinone moieties presented in the monomers, which usually can function as radical scavengers and/or catalysts poison. Photo-induced rearrangement from the “trans”-quinone forms to the “ana”-quinone forms readily occurred when the polymer films were irradiated with UV light.