CA1233931A

CA1233931A - Photosensitive hydroxyalkylphenones

Info

Publication number: CA1233931A
Application number: CA000303400A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jurgen Gehlhaus; Manfred Kieser
Original assignee: Ciba Geigy Investments Ltd
Current assignee: BASF Schweiz AG
Priority date: 1977-05-17
Filing date: 1978-05-16
Publication date: 1988-03-08
Also published as: JPS6026403B2; DK152737B; JPS53144539A; BE867137A; GB1598593A; DK214978A; SE7805579L; GB1598592A; DE2722264A1; US4347111A; AT368170B; NL187684C; US4477681A; IT7849364A0; SE443788B; US4721734A; ATA353078A; BR7803068A; FR2391183A1; DK152737C

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Novel photopolymerizable compositions are provided herein. They contain at least one photopolymerizable unsaturated compound and a photo-sensitizingly effective amount of the following compound of formula (I)

Description

This invention relates -to rne-thods and eompositions for photosensi-tization.
Many reactions in ort3anie chemistry are aecelerated or in some instances even made possible by irradiation with visib1e or u]tra-violet (UV) radiation. Such reactions in-elude for exarnple, fission reae-tions, e.c3., in the vitamin D
series, rearranc3emen-t reae-tions, e.cJ., eis--transisomerizations, and addl-tion reactions, e.g., of maleic aeid to benzene. Dow-cvtr, the technically rnost impor-tant addition reae-tions oE this kind are the photoehemieally initiated polymeriza-tion reactions.
For all of -these reac-tions, it is necessary tha-t at l0 1east a portion of the reaction mixture be capable of absorbing irradiated visible or UV radiation. ~1hen this portion is one of the reaction components, -the reaetions ean be earried out withou-t further addi-tives simply by appropriate irradiation of -the reaction mixture. However, frequently the reaction 15 components are not able to absorb a sufficient amount of the r,hotoehemieally e-ffeetive irradiation. In sueh eases, substances called photosensitizers are frequently added. These do not part;eipate in the reae-tion but are able to absorb the visible UV irracliation and -to transfer -the absorbed energy to OllC` of 20 the reaction components. Important cri-teria for the ehoiee of sueh sensitizers are, in-ter alia, the nature of the reaetion to be earried out, the rela-tionship of -the absorption speetrum of the sensitizer to -the speetral enercJy distribution of the available source of radiation, the solubility of the sensitizer 25 in the reactior1 mixture ancl the inf1uence on the end prt)duet ox residues of the sensitizer and/or the produets resultinc3 there-ELOm during the photochemical reaetion.

~3~3~

Benzophenone derivatives, benzoic ethers. ben7il monoacetals and ~-haloacetophenone derivatives-X~ve previc)usly been used as sensi-titers fox the photopoly~eriza~ion of unsaturated compounds. However, these substances possess various disadvantages which distinctly limit their industrial usefulness. Such disadvantages include, in particular, the tendency of monomers or prepolymers to polvmerize when mixed wikh photosensitizers of these groups prior to irradiation, :i.e., in the dark. Consequently, many reaction mixtures con-tai.nin~3 such sensi-tizers possess only a J.ow stability in the dark.
Lo Otller compounds Erom these classes possess only a l.ow chem:i.cal stability; thus, or example, some benzil monoacetals are split even by very small amounts of water, e.g., by atmospheric humidity, into benzi.l and alcohol. Furthermore, others of these known sensitizers cause a yellowing of the resul-tant photo-polymerized polymers, which, especially in the case of normally color].css syntheti.c resins or in parti.cul.ar in -the case of 11V-hardened ~rintiny dyes, is highly undesirab]e. For this last-rnentioned field of use, the generally low soluhility of the }known sensitizersin thc. monomers or prepoJ.ymers often plays an impor-tant role. Since, as a rule, printing dyes contain con-siclerable amounts of col.ored picJmen-ts whicl~ absorb a l.arcle part of the ir:radiated energy, which is thus unavailable for photo-chemical reacti.ons, a comparatively l.arcJe amount of sensitizer must be addecl. Frequently, as a result, amounts us to 5 -to 10 we:i.cJht percent of the reacti.on mixture, i.e., thy printi.n~ dye, must bc empJ.oyed whereas otherwise in the synthetic resi.n indus--l:ry, in the absence ox colorinc3 aclclitives, only 1 to 2 weiclllt

2 -~3~3t3~

, p(reellt aK( ort( n (,ornp:le~c!ly suf~fie:ierlt. ~Jsllally oven ills rela-I: i Y :I.y 1 ow c orJc en t, c a ti on ean },)are l y be aehi evecl wi. th the c;l)ar-:i.rl(J:I y sc):lui):le l~.nown sense .i.zers. Tn tlle ease of the rlllel rJl t:io~; rl(~e(~ci~;c:ll^y :i.n r~:r:irltir~J (:Iy~.s, e ho it f 'ly ~-a.rl:.i..l:l.:l.~ (-~ry~it~ Ollt. 'rl~ cl(l(~it:i.~n to l:lle hot Lh~ll the proport:iorls whiell have erysta'lliz~d out no 'I.orl(ler aet s(,!rlL;:i.t:i.z.irlcll.y, after some ti.me, the resultant erystcL'l,:l.i.te.s a1.so t~amacle -the print,i,ncJ pla-tes eonsi.sti.ncl of .re:l.a lively so r t ma teria l.s .
IO l~eetophenone and deri,vatives thereof have also been su~J~Iested and ~lsecl as L~hotosensit1zers, espe~ei.a1,1.y Eor photo-clle~n;cll cyelo-~dditiorls, (e.g. K. Gollnick "Type II sodoxidation reactions"
N. Advances in photochemistry, Vol. 6, pages 1-122, Interscience publishers, N.Y., 1966, Editors, A.N. Noyes, G.S. Hammond Ind J.N. Pitts).

The results oh-tained wi-th eompouncis of th;s elass, espeeia1.ly thy uant~llll y:ic?:l('ls oF the ~hotochemiea], :reaeti,ons sensi,tizecl ther ewi th are IllOS tly markedly poorer than, :Eor exanlple, the J esu:l,ts obta1ne('l w:i.th benzopllenont?.

(I Acc()r(lirl~ly~ it is all objeot oF oll( all nl tt~is inventioll to l,:rovicle l~llc)tosells:i,t:izc!rs, esL)eeially :Eor the pl-lotopolymerizcltion o l ~Ins.l if r..l l e(l c ompoun('ls, W'tl,i eh, in a(lm i,x l I re if th the o ther ~c~cleticJrl e~o~llpollonts~ a:ce storacle stah:l,e :in tht? c'lar}., whi.eh l:,holllselvc~c. all(l (lue l,o pro(luets cle~l~ivec] Erom them lo net eallr-ie ye'l.:l.ow:i.l~ oF tlle :reaet:i.on pro(-luets ancl whieh possess a so'Lu-l):i.l.:i.ty wh:ie}-l :is as hi.(~h as possi.ble in the monomers o:r pre-olymers normal l,y sub~eetec'l to a photopo:l.yllleri.zc-lti.on.
It is In object of anotller aspect of ills invention to provide sigh photor-iens:i.t:ize-rs wll:i.e}l ~?ossess the clreatest poss,Lbl.e pllotosen-I() Silt J e[ feet:i.vc~lle.-is in in wavelenc3th rancJe old 250 to 5()0 1~lll, Ill ill thy i wart 3()0 c-lllcl ~00 nm.

~3~
In one method aspect, a method is provided for photopolymeri-zing a photopolyermizable composition which comprises irradiating, with effective radiation, a composi.tion comprising at least one photopoly-merizable unsaturated compound and a photosensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula I

~6 Rl CO-oR54 I) wherein Rl is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; R5 is hydrogen; and R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
In another method aspect, a method is provided for hardening a printing dye which comprises irradiating, with effective radiation, a composition comprising.a photohardenable printing dye and a photo-sensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) _ CO-C-R~ (I) R~

wherein Rl is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl ! dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can 'I` ` 1 ~23~3~3~
be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; R5 is hydro-gen and R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
By a variant of these two methods, the composition additionally comprises at least one conventional photosensitizer.
In one composition aspect, this invention provides a photo-polymerizable composition comprising a photosensiti~ingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) R6\

Rl - CO-C-R4 I) wherein Rl is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxv each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R~, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; and R5 is hydrogen; and R6 is hydrogen or methyl, and at least one photopoly-merizable unsaturated compound.
By a variant thereof, the amount of formula (I) is 0.05 - 15 wt.%.
By another composition aspect, a photohardenable composition is provided comprising a photosensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) Rl CO-C-R,9 ( t) ~3~
wherein Rl is h-ydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamonio of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; R5 is hy-~rogen and R6 is hydrogen or nnethyl, and a photohardenable printing dye.
Especially preferred compounds of formula (I) are:
I-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1), isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1),, and1-(3'4'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-rnethyl-propannone-~1).
In view of the common structural characteristics o conventional photosensitizers which, as a rule, contain two possibly substituted phenyl nuclei, the aromatic systems of which are cross-conjugated via one or two carbon atoms, it is surprising that the hydroxyalkyl ketones to be used according to an aspect of this invention, having only one aromatic ring possess such a good photosensitizing action especially in view of the relatively poor results previously obtained with acetophenone derivatives as discussed above.
It has now been found that the compounds of formula (I) possess a good photosensitizing effectiveness for irradiation in the wavelength region of 250 - 500 nm and are clearly more soluble in the monomers or prepolymers generally employed for photopolymerizations, e.g., based upon urlsaturated esters, e.g., acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid rsters or maleic acid esters, or styrene, than are most of the sensiti-zers previously employed. Furthermore, the solutions of the photo-senr;itizers of the formula (I) in these monomers and prepolymers generally possess a better storage stability in the darlc than, for example, analogous solutions of benzoin ethers. Finally, in photopolymerizations using the sensitizers of formula (I), yellowing of the polymers is not observed or is found to only a substantially smaller degree than for the ~( ~33~
convcntional sensitizers.
In formula (I), Rl is preferably alkyl or alkoxy of up to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 1 - 12 carbon atoms, a chlorine atom, dialkyl-arnino of 2 - 4 carbon atoms or phenyl. Especially preEerred as Rl are alkyl groups of up to 12 carbon atoms or the dimethylamino group. R2 is rnost preEerably hydrogen. For the other embodiments, R2 is preferred in the 3-position. It can also preferably be a chlorine or bromine atom or a metllyl or rnethcxy group in the 2- or 3-position~ preferably in the

3-position, of the phenyl nucleus.
For R3 and R~, especially preferred are compounds in which both residues R3 and R4 are alkyl groups which together contain 2 to 10, pre-ferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms.
R5 is hydrogen.
Finally, R6 is preferably hydrogen. It is preferably only a rnethyl group when Rl is hydrogen and R2 is 2-methyl.
Consequently, according to aspects of this invention, there are especially employed as photosensitizers those compounds of formula (I) in which at least one of Rl to R6 has one of the above-mentioned preferred meanings. Some groups of compounds to be used preferably according to the invention can be expressed by the following partial formulae (Ia) to Rio) which correspond to formula (I) and wherein the residues not more preciscly defined are defined as for the formula (I) but wherein in (Ia) Rl is alkyl of 1 - 12 carbon atoms;
in (Ib) R1 is alkyl of 3 - 12 carbon atorns;
;n (Ic) Rl is dillleLhylamino;
in (Ld) R2 is hydrogerl;
in (Ie) R2 is 3-chloro-, 3-bromo-, 3-methyl or 3--metlloxy;
in (If) Rl ;s alkyl of 1 - 4 carbon atoms and R2 is as defined in (le);
in (Ig) R3 and R~ are both metal;

~33~3~
in (Ih) R3 is ethyl and R4 is n-b~tyl;
in (Ii) R3 is methyl and R4 is ethyl;
in (Ij3 R5 is methyl, ethyl or acetyl;
in (Ik) Rl is alkyl of 3 - 12 carbon atoms and R2 is hydrogen;
in (Il) Rl is alkyl of 3 - 12 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen and R3 and R4 both are methyl;
in (Im) Rl is alkyl of l - 12 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen, R3 is ethyl and R~ is n-butyl;
in (In) R6 is hydrogen;
in (Io) Rl is hydrogen, R2 is 2-methyl and R6 is ~3 ~3~

methyl.
The foregoing discussion of the entities Rl-R6 also applies to formula II where applicable.
The preparation oE some of the compounds of :Eormul~
(:t) to be used according to this invention is known from Bull.
Soc. Chirn. France 1967, 1047-1052; J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 75 (1953), 5975-5978; and Zh. Obshch. Khim. 34 (1964), 24-28.
~Icwever,-their outstanding photosensi-tizing effectiveness is not disclosed in these literature references nor rendered obvious thereby.
The new compounds of formula (I) can be prepared analogously to the standard processes of organic chemistry described in the mentioned literature references.
In a preferred preparation process, a benzene derivative of formula (III) R6 \
1 H (III) whercin Rl, R2 and R6 are as deEined above, is reacted in the presence of a Lewis acid, for example, aluminum chloride, with an ~~halocarboxylic acid chloride of formula (IV) flal-CO-C-R4 (IV) fat 20 wherein R3 and R4 are as defined above and Hal is a halogen atom, preEerably chlorine or bromine, and the so obtained ~--haloketone of formula (V) 'I

~3~g3~

R~ CO-C~R~ TV) I cll wherein :Rl, R2, R3, R~, R6 and fat are as defined above is conventionally saponified to -the hydroxyalkylphenone of -the :eo:rmllla (I)(R5=1l). When R3 and R~ are alkyl, this saponifica-tion is conducted by simple heating oE the u-haloketone (V) with a concentratecl solution of an alkali metal hydroxide in a solvent miscible with wa-ter, such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone or dime-thyl sulphoxide. If one or bo-th of -the residues R3 and R4 are hydrogen, then, as a rule, it is expedient first -to convert the r~-haloketone (V), by reaction with a earboxylic acid salt, for example, sodium acetate, in an anhydrous organic solven-t, into an alkanoyloxy-alkylphenone of the formula (I) (R5=alkanoyl). If desired, this is conver-ted by hyclrolysis in the presence o-f a weakly basic compound, for example, sodium hydrogen carbonate, into the hydroxyalkylphenone (I, R5=~
Alkanoyl.oxyalkylphenones of formula (I) (R5=al.kanoyl) can a:Lso he prepared by acylation of -the hydroxyalkylphenones (I, r~5-ll) wi-th suitable carboxylic acid derivatives, :Eor examp1e, ~0 c~lrboxy:L:ic acid anhyd:rides or halides.
I'he alkoxyalkylphenones oE formula (I) (R5=alkyl) c-an he prepared, for example, by reaction of -the halo lcetones (V) with an alcohola-te, for example, sodium ethyla-te, in an anhyclrous organic solvent, sigh as, Eor example, ethanol.

_9_ ~3~

In addition to the Friedel-Crafts reac-tion of (III) wilt (IV), the (~-haloketones (V) can also be conventionally r?repared by ha:Logena-tion, preEerably chlorina-tion or hromination, oE a phenone of Eormula (VI) ~6 1 ~~~ (VI) R~ R~

wherein R1, R2, R3, R~ and R6 are as defined above. This process is then preferably employed when the phenone (VI) is reaclily obtainable and no side reactions occur in the halo-gena-tion, e.g., halogenation of benzyl carbon atoms in Rl, R2 and/or R6-Furthermore, the hydroxyalkylphenones of formula (I)can be prepared by reacting a Grignard compound of formula (VII) Rl Mg-~lal (VII) where:in RL, R2, R~ ancl lIal are as defined above, wlth a cyano-1'; llyclrin compouncl havincJ a protected oxygen atom of Eormula (VIII) NC R
C (VIII) Sch-O R4 wherein Sch-O- is an hydroxyl group protec-ted against Griqnard compouncls, for example, a -tetrahydropyranyl ether group, and R3 and R4 are as definecl above, and subsequently conventionally ~0 llydrolyzing the reaction mix-ture in -the presenee of an acid.
't'his preparation process is preferred Eor the syn-thesis o compounds of Eormula (I) in which Rl is a dialkylamino group.

~33~3~L
The photosensitizers according to an aspect of this invention are employed in the cus-tomary fashion for such products, e.g., by analogy to the use of any of the conventional photosensi-tizers mentioned hereln. For example, or the photopolvmeriza--t:ion of unsaturated compounds, 0.05-15 wt.~, preferably 0.1 to 12 w-t.~, of one or more compounds of formula (I), optionally to(Jether w.ith other conven-tional photosensitizers is dissolved in the unsaturated monomer, lts prepolymer or its precopolyrner.
I'hese solutions are then irradi.ated with visible or UV radiation in the wavelength range of 250 to 500 nm, pîeferably of 300 to 400 nm. Suitabl.e unsa-turated compounds which can be photopolymerized using the sensi-tizers of an aspect of this invention include all those having C=C double bonds which are activated by, for example, halogen atoms; carbonyl, cyano, carboxy, ester, amide, ether or aryl groups; or by other conjugated double or triple bonds. Examples of such compounds include vinyl chloride, vinyli~ene chloride, acrylic acid methyl ester, acryl-onitrile, hydroxyethyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, hydroxy-propyl acrylate! hydroxyethyl methacrylate, benzyl acrylate, 20 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, phenyloxyethyl acrylate, lower alkoxy-ethoxy acrylat~, te-trahydrofurfuryl acryl.ate, N-vinylpyrroli-done, N-viny].c~rbazole, vinyl acetate, styrene, di.vinylben-~ene and substituted styrenes. Polyunsa-turated cornpounds, e.g., trimethylolprqpane diacrylate, propoxylated bl.sphenyl-A
25 d;.acrylate an dime-thacryla-te and 1,6-hexanediol diac-rylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate can also be photopolymerized using the sensitizers of an aspec-t of thi.s invention. Suitable prepolymers .r ~3~
and pre-eopol.ymers i.neluc~e, :Eor exanlpl.e, unsa-turated pol.yesters, ae:ry]ie maleri.als, epoxy m~-l t:er:ial..s, ure~hancs, s;.l:i.eones, rninc- pol.yarrlicle res:i.rls arlcl, in par-tieular, aery:La-ted resins, Sll('h .IS aerylatecl si.li.cone o.il., aeryl.ated polyesters, aery-5 I.atc/cl u~eLllanes, aerylatc(l po]yarll:i.des, aery:lated soya bea1l oi.l, ; ac.r:yl.~lted epoxy res.in and aerylated aery:l.ie resin.
J The pllotopolyme-rizable compound or mixt~lre~q YE an ~spe(L o:E
till lnventl~n con be stabilized by the addition of Icno~m inh:lbitors e.g., hy~roqulnone, in the conventional amounts, wlthollt the sensitizer action o:E
1() Ll~ Lou ;iti~rs ~ccorcling to an aspect ox this :invention bring nc)tably impa:ire(!

lurk errnore, -they ean eontain sigh pigments or dyestuEfs, wh-ic~- are eonven-tional in the photoehemieal hardenincJ of printing ClyC?S. -[n thi.s ease, the amount ox sensiti.zer is ehosen 15 to be hiyller, fo:r example, 6-12 wt.%, whereas :Eor eolorless ' photopolymeri.zable produets, 0.1-3 wt.~ i.s, in most eases, i eompleteJ.y su-Efi.eient.
Suitable photo.sensit:i.zers whie?l are l~nown and ean op-tion~ll.y be wised together with the s~nsitiæers cording to an aspect of 20 th:i.s inventi.on inelude, an example, Mi.ehleL-'s ketone, bis-[cli.rnethylaminol-benzophellone), ~,4'-bis-(di.ethyl.-m.ino)-bellz.ophenorle, ~-cli.methylaminobenza:ldehyde, '-b:is-(c'.l,imetllyl,~ ino)-benz:i.l, p-climethy].aminobellzopllenone, p~-di.rmetllyl-aminobenzc)irl, p-climethylaminobenzil, N-substi.tuted 9-aeri.clanones, 25 the alll.ino- (cur pllerlyl-) earbonyl eornpounds cleseribec1 in U.S.
latent Sr)eeifieat:ion Number ~,66],583, the p-anlino[.-henyl-"1 earbonyl eornpoullds deseribed in U.S. Patent Speei~:leation Nurnber 3,552,973, aeetophenone, prol~iophenone, xanthone, henzaldehyde, bc.~llz.ol)llc!rlolle~ p-cl-ll.(>robenzol>hellone~ bi.aeetyl., bellz.i~ luorellone, 30 3-nitro-~-ellloroberlzophenone-2-earboxylie aeid, phenanthrene-.~

I.2 ~2~3~3~

quinone, benzoin and alkyl ethers of benzoin, 2--chloro-thioxar)thone, 10-thioxanthenone, 1-pllellyl-1,2-propanediolle oxime and the esters and ethers thereof, isatin, an-throne, hydroxypropyl benzoate, benzoyl benzoate acrylate, 2,~-d;rnethylbenzophenone, benzoyl-biphenyl, acenaphthenoqulnone arl(l di.~enzos~lberone.
Suitable sources of irradiation for effec-ting the photo-polymerizati.orl, i.nclude sunl;.gh-t or ar-tif:icial radiation. ~lowever, there arè advantageously also used mercury vapor high or low pressure ].amps, xenon and -tungsten lamps.
Laser lic3ht sources can also be employed.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, uti.lize the presellt inventi.on to its fullest extel-t. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to bc construed as merel.y i]].ustrative. In the fol-lowinc3 examples, all -temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrecs Celsius; unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentac3es are by weic3ht.
ExaJnples l to 6 concern the preparation of cornpounds o:~ formula (I) -to be used according to an aspect of -the invention:
EXAMPI~ 1 Into a suspension of 665 9 o:E aluminum chloride in 2000 ml o:E l.,2-d:i.chloroe-thane are introduced at 0, 7~0 9 of u-chloro-25 i.sobutyryl chloride (prepared by chlorination of isobutyryl chloride in the presence ox catalytic amounts oE chlorosul-phoni.c acid and chlorocllli.l). To this mix-ture are added drop-wise, w:ith vigorolls .~tirrinc3, at 0 to 5, 1230 cl of cornmercially `

~l233~
available technical dodecylbenzene (known by the -trade mark of MARLICAN) ox Chemische Werke lluels AG, Marl). After completion of the dropwise addition, the reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for a further 45 minutes and subsequently stirred into a mixture of 1000 g of ice and 400 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The organic layer is separa-ted off, washed twice with 300 ml amounts of dilu-te hydrochloric acid, dried over calcium chloride ancl evaporated. The 1-(4'-dodecylphenyl)-2-chloro-2-methyl~propanone-(1) remaininy behind is dissolvecl in 2000 ].0 ml o isopropyl alcohol with stirring and gentle heating. This solution is heated to the boil for 1 1/2 hours, with stirring, wi-th 550 ml of 32% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and sub-sequently poured into 2000 ml of water. The aqueous reaction mi,xture is extracted with 1000 ml of -toluene, the extract washed with 1000 ml of 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The 1-(4'-dodecyl-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1) remaining behind is distilled under reduced pressure; b.p.o 01 180-183.
There are prepared analogously:
20 1-(4'-hexylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propallone-((1), 1-(4'-octylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thy],-propanone--(l), 1-(4'-nonylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(11), 1-(4'-hexadecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanonno-, 1-(4'-oc-tadecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanoone-(1), 25 1-(~'-hexyloxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanoneof l-(~'-octyloxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanonee-(1), '-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexanone-(1), 1-(4'-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanone-((1), 1-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-((1), b.p.o 1 117--118 and l-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1), b.p.o 3 86-88.

t~7 - l il -:5L233~3~L

E.XAMPI,I~ 2 ., Analogously to Example l, with 133 C3 of aluminu-m chLoride i.n 500 ml oE dichl.oroethane, -there are prepared :E:rorn l~L y of ~-chloroisobutyryl chloride and 92 o-E toluene, 'S I methylphenyl.)-2-chloro-2-methy~-propanone-(1) and the cruc~e pro-lu~t clissolved in 500 ml of anhydrous methanol. A solution o:~ 5~ cJ Oe sodi.um me-thylate ln 1500 ml of methanol is adcled d:ropwise, with stirriny, the reaction mix-ture warmed to 60 arld then le-Et to stand for 16 hours. Subsequen-tly, the pre--L0 c.ipi-tated sodium chloride is filtered off and -the filtrate evapo:rated. The l-(~'-methylphenyl)-2-methoxy-2-methyl-propanone remaining behind is distilled under reduced pressure;
there are obtained 98.~ g with b.p.o 03 75-77.
There are prepared analoc30usly:
15 1-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-ethoxy-2-methyl-propanone-(ll), l-(~'-methylphenyl)-2-butoxy-2-methyl-propanone~(ll), 1-(4'-isopropylphenyl)-2-e-thoxy-2-methyl-propanonne-(1), I,-(4'-pentylphenyl)-2-methoxy-2-methyl-propanone--(l), l-(~'-methylphenyl)-2-methoxy-2-e-thyl.-hexanone-((1) and 20 :L-(~'-dodecylphenyl)-2-e-thoxy-2-methyl-propanonee-(l).
EXAM~:L,E 3 Analogously to example 1, with 335 cJ of alumi.num clhl.or:i.le :i.n 1000 rn:l. of dichloroe-thane, -Erom 300 oE to.luene ancl ~55 cJ o:E ~-chloropropionyl chloride -there are preparecl ~50 2S cJ o:E l.-(~'-me-thylphenyl)-2-chloropropanone-(1). The crude materi.al is dissolved in 3000 ml of e-thanol and heated -to -the bo.i.].:Eor 1.5 hours with 392 cJ o:E ànhydrous potassium ace-tate.
S~lbse~uently, -the reac-tion mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure, -the residue taken up in 2500 ml of clie-thyl. ether and fi].tered. The fil-trate is evaporated and -the l~(~'-methyl-phenyl.)-2-acetoxy-propanone-(1) remaining behind clistil:L.ed ~2~3~

under reduced pressure; yield: 364 g, b.p.o 3 115-122.

There are prepared analoc3ously:

tc~t:-h~lty~ acetoxy-acetopilenone; b.p.o 3 I40-143; ancl ~L~(4'-tert~butylphenyl)-2-acetoxy-2 methyl-propanone-(1), rj b.p.() 3 ]4~1~148.
r,xA,~, P,r. !.'.
sol.ution oE 371 g o :L-(~'-me-thylphenyl)-2-acetoxy-prl,p.lnone-(L) in 3000 ml of isopropyl alcohol is mixed with a solutlon oE 151 y oE sod:ium hydroyen carbonate in 1200 ml oE water and -the mixture heated to the boil Eor 15 hours, while s-tirring. Subsequently, the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure, the residue taken up in 500 ml of water and ex-tracted three times wi.th 300 ml amounts of die-thyl ether.
The combined ether ex-tracts are dried over sodium sulphate and evapora-ted. The 1-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanone-(1) remaininy behind is dis-tilled under reduced pressure; yield:
224 y, b.p.o 3 85-90.
There are prepared analoyously:
:I.-(3',~'~d:imethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-proopanone-(]), b.p.o 6 88-90i 9'-rnethoxypheny:L)-2-hyclroxy-2-methyl-propanone--(1), b.p.o L :L25-129, I~(~'-bipheny:l.yl)~2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-((1), m.p. 85;
I-(4'-:isopropy:Lphenyl)-2-hydroxy-bu-tanone-(1), l-(~'-i.sopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-propanone-(1), tert-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-propanone-(1) and l-(~'-nonylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-llexanone-(1).

~33~3:~L

f E 5 To a solution of 0.l mol of acetone cyanohydrin tetra-hyclropyranyl ether in 50 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran ls added dropwise, in the course of 40 minutes, with stirring, a solution of 0.075 mol of 4-dimethylaminophenyl magnesium bromide in 100 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and the reaction mixture heated to the boil for a further 1.5 hours.
Subsequently, 100 ml of 10~ aqueous sulphuric acid are added thereto, the mixture again briefly heated to -the boil and then adjusted to a pH value of about 10 with 10~ aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The weakly alkaline reaction mixture is shaken ou-t three times with 150 ml amounts of diethyl ether, -the combined e-ther extracts are washed out with 100 ml of water, filtered and dried over sodium sulphate. After dis-tilling off the ether, there remain 12 g oE 1-(4'-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-2-hyclroxy-2-me-thyl-propanone-(1), which are re-crystalli7ed from ethanol; m.p. 115.
There are prepared analogously:
l-(A'-diethylaminophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thy]-proppanone-(1), l-(4'-ethoxyphenyl~-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-((1), 1-(4'-bu-tyloxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanonne-(1), 1-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butaanone-(1) and l-(A'-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-butannone-(1).

_ .
a) To a suspension of 1033 g of anhydrous aluminum chloride in 3000 ml of dichloroethane there are firs-t added dropwise at 6-10, with ice cooling, 750 g o-E isobutyryl chloride and thereafter ~00 y of tert-butylbenzene. The reaction mi.~t~lre is left to stand for a further 1 hour at -l7-393~

6 end then for 15 hours at room -temperature. Subsequently, i.t i.s s:Low]y stirred into a solu-tion of 600 ml of concen-tra-ted hydrochloric ac:id in 2400 ml of ice water, -the organic phase separate(l o.Ef and the aqueous solu-tion washed ou-t once with 5 600 ml. of di.ch'Loroethane. q'he combined organic phases are washed onee eaeh with 500 ml o:E 5% hydroehloric acid and water, tlr ill ove:r calei.wn chloride and evapora-ted. The l-(~'-tert-~ut~ ?heny].) 2~methyl-propanone-(1) remaining behi.nd is dis-t:i.lled under reduced pressure; yield: 10~5 g, b.p.o 1 98-102~.
:l0 b) In the eourse oE 1.5 hours, 550 q oE ehlorine are passed into a solution of 1007 g of l-(~'-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl--propanone-(1) in 3000 ml of methanol in -the presenee o:E 2 ml of eoneen-trated hydrochloric acid and 2 a of iodine at 50, with stirring. Subsequently, the reac-tion mixture is Eurther s-tirred for 30 minutes at 50 and the solvent -then dis-tilled off. The residue is taken up in 1000 ml of toluene and washed neutral and chlorine-free with aqueous sodium hydrocJen carbonate solu-tion and aqueous sodium thiosu].phate solu-t:ion. Subsequen-tly, -the -toluene is distilled off and the erudel-(~'-tert-butylphenyl)-2-ehloro-2-me-thyl-propanoone-(l.) remainln~ behi.nd dissolved i.n 2000 ml of isopropyl a:Lcohol.
'rO th:i.s so:l.ution aye addecl ~20 ml of 32~ aqueous sod:ium hy-clroxi.c'le solution and the reaction mixture heatecl to the bo:i:L
Eo:r l..5 hours. Peter coolincJ, the reacti.on mi.xture ls shaken 2r) out w:ith :l.000 m'L o:E toluene, the toluene extract washecl with J.000 m:L o:E :L0~ aqueous soclium ehloride solution, dried over cal.ci.unl ehloride and evaporated The l-(~'-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(l) remaining behind is dis-tilled Llncler redueed pressure; yield: 839 I, b.p.o 1 132-135 3~

There are prepared analogously:
1-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-((1), b.p.o 5 120-122;
1-(4'-ethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(11), S b.p.o 3 104-109;
1-(9'-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanonne-(1), b.p.o 4 108-109;
1-(3'-chloro-~'-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl--propanone-(1), m.p. 92-93;
1-(3'-bromo-4'-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-ppropanone-(1), m.p. 104-106;
1-(3'-chloro-4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-ppropanone-(1), b.p.o 7 130-135;
1-(2',5'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propannone-(1);
1-(2',4'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propannone-~l) 1-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexanone-(1)), b.p.o 3 155-158;
1-(4'-tert-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexanonec b.p.o 2 162-166;
1-(4'-isopentylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thyl-propanoone-(1);
1-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanone-(11);
1-(4'-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-b~taononne-(1);
1-(4'-tert-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanonne-(1) and 1-(3',4'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thyl-bu-taanone-(1).
The following Examples 7-14 concern -the use of -the pho-tosensi-tizers according to an aspect of -this invention in -the photopolymerization of unsa-tura-ted compounds according to ano-ther aspect of this inven-tion.

I' ~;~33~3~
EXAMPI.E 7 .
20 g amounts of a commercially available cas-ting resin based on partly polymerized methyl methacrylate and allyl e-thacrylate (known by the trade mark of PLEXIT MU51 of the firm Rohm, GmbH, Darmstadt) are each mixed with 0.4 g of a sensitizer according to this invent:ion or of a commercially available product. After complete dissolv~.ng of -t.he sensitizer and uniform mixing, the samples are stored in the dark at 60 in closed class vessels. The samples are tested a-t regular intervals of time for the com-:L0 rnencement of gelling. The results summarized in the followingTable are a measure of the dark storage stability of photo-polymerizable mixtures with the use of various sensitizers.

experiment Dark Storage No. SensitizerStability (Days) l 1,2-diphenyl-2,2-dimethoxy-(prior art) ethanone-(l) 4 (prior art) Benzoin butyl ether 0.5 3 l-(4'-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thyl-propanone-(1) 5 The resul-ts show that photopolymerizable mixtures wi-th the sensitizer according -to an aspec-t of -the invention (experimen-t 3) possess a markedly be-tter dark s-torage stability -than the ~5 rnix-tures wi-th the known sensi-tizers (experimen-ts l and 2).
E.XAMPLE 8 Analogously to Example 7, there is determlned the dark storage stability oE photopolymerizable mix-tures each of 20 g of a commerci.ally available casting resin based on unsa-turated . r 3~3~

polyestes and styrene (knwon by the trade mark of PALATAL P

70 of the firm BASF AG, Ludwigshafen~ and 0.4 g eaeh of a sensitizer according to the inven-tion and -two known sensitizers.

The resul-ts are summarized in Table B 8.

Exper.inlent Dark Storage No. Sensi-tizerStability (Days) 1 1,2-diphenyl-2,2-dimethoxy-(Prior art) ethanone-(l) 7 (Prior art) Benzoin butyl ether 8 3 1-(4'-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(l) 12 ._ The results also show the superior properties of -the 15 sensi-tizers according to an aspec-t of the invention.

50 g amounts of a commercially available casting resin based on par-tly polymerized methyl methacrylate and allyl methacryla-te (PLEXIT MU 51 of the firm Rohm GmbH, Darmstad-t) 20 are each rnixed with i.25 g oE l-(4'-tert-butyl-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-meth.yl-propanone-(l) or benzoin butyl et'her as sens:itizer and coatecl onto glass plates in 250llm thicknesses.
Imtnediately a:Eter -the coating, the layers are irradiated Eor 30 seconds w:i~h a mercury vapor ].amv at a distance of 11 cm.
25 From hoth materials there is formed a hard layer having a non--sticky surface which, for the sensitizer according to this invention is colorless and clear, whereas for the knowll henzoin e-ther possesses a markedly yellowish co]oration.

~23;~3~
J;'~AMPTL' 10 _ _ _ _ A so].ution oE 0.2 c3 o:E l-(4'-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-~nethyl-propanone-(l) in lO y o:E trime-thylolpropane -triaeryla-te .i.s eoated onto a ylass pla-te in a 5011m thiek layer ancl irradiated 5 as in r.~.xample 9. A harcl r eolor:Less, ylass-elear and highly I].ossl.y eoatiny is obtained.
ElXl~MPI,E,:1l , ., .. .. _ _ _ A .c;o:1.ution o:E 0.1 CJ o:E ]-(2',5'-d.imethylphenyl)-'2-tnethoxy-2~me-thylpropanone-(l) and O.l y o:E benzoin bu.tyl :10 ether in ]0 cJ oE trimethylol-propane -triaerylate is appl:ied w:ith a rubber roller in abou-t loom thiekness -to white drawing paper. AE.ter irradiation as in Example 9, there resul-ts a eolorless, ylossy eoating.
EXAMPI.I'~: l.2 '15 In a solution o:E 0.8 g oE l-(4'-tert-butylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanone-(l) and 0.~ g o:E l-(4'-isopropyl-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-me-thylpropanone-(l) in 16.4 g of penta-crythri.tol -triaeryla-te are dispersed 2~0 g o:E blue eopper -pht}lal.oeyanin picJment. A rastered stereotype plate is eo:1.ored 20 wi.th this dispersion and white paper printed therewith. The prlnt surEaee, whieh is stieky aEter the pri.n-tincJ proeess, is suhsec1uently :irradiatecl :Eor 20 seeonds at a distanee oE ll cm wit1l a Illereu:ry vapor :Larnp. non-stieky, wipe-proo:F print :is obtcl:i.ne~
25 1~XAMl''t,1-~ L3 A solut:i.on o:E 0.2 c3 Oe l-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methy'1.-p:ropclnone-(~ i.n lO CJ o:E trimethylol-propane triaerylate .is app:1i.ec1 w:ith a 2511m spira'l doetor to ~1hite cJlazed paper, an(:1 the eoat:incJ is irradi~tecl as in Example 9. A cJlossy, eol.orl.ess 30 non-st:ie]cy eoatincl is obtained.

~Z3393~

A solution of 0.75 g of 1-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-rnethyl-propanone-(l) in a mix-ture of 20 g of trime-thylol-p;ropane triacrylate and 10 g of butanediol diacrylate is appl.led wi-th a 2511m spiral doctor to white glazed paper, and the coating :is irradia-ted as in Example 9. A colorless, highly glossy coating is obtained.
The preceding examples can be repeated with similar sueeess by subs-titu-tin~ the generieally or specifically deseribed reactan-ts and/or opera-ting conditions of aspects of -this in-vention for those used in the preceding example.

I'

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A method of photopolymerizing a photo-polymerizable composition which comprises irradiating, with effective radiation, a composition comprising at least one photopolymerizable unsaturated compound and a photosensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula I

(I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms;
R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; R5 is hydrogen; and R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
2. A method of hardening a printing dye which comprises irradiating, with effective radiation, a composition comprising a photohardenable printing dye and a photosensiti-zingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkyl-amino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms;
R5 is hydrogen and R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
3. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said composition additionally comprises at least one conventional photosensi-tizer.
4. A method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
5. A method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-(4'-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
6. A method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-(3',4'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
7. A photopolymerizable composition comprising a photosensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms;
R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; and R5 is hydrogen; and R6 is hydrogen or methyl, and at least one photopolymerizable unsaturated compound.
8. The photopolymerizable composition of claim 7 wherein the amount of compound of formula (I) is 0.05 - 15 wt.%.
9. A photohardenable composition comprising a photosensitizingly effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, chlorine, phenyl, dialkylamino of 2 - 4 C-atoms or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 18 C-atoms; R2 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl or alkoxy each of up to 4 C-atoms; R3 and R4, which can be the same or different, each is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms; R5 is hydrogen and R6 is hydrogen or methyl, and a photo-hardenable printing dye.
10. A composition of claims 7 or 9 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
11. A composition of claims 7 or 9 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-(4'-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
12. A composition of claims 7 or 9 wherein the compound of formula I is 1-(3'4'-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanone-(1).
13. The polymerized product produced by the method of claim 1.
14. The hardened dye produced by the method of claim 2.

(15) A method of photopolymerizing an unsaturated compound which comprises using as photosentizer a compound of the formula Ar is a phenyl or a phenyl substituted by chlorine, bromine, alkyl, alkoxy or dialkylamine R1 and R2 which can be the same or different, each is a lower alkyl.
(16) A photopolymerizable composition comprising a photosentizing effective amount of at least one compound of the formula Ar is a phenyl or a phenyl substituted by chlorine, bromine, alkyl, alkoxy or dialkylamine R1 and R2 which can be the same or different, each is a lower alkyl and at least one photopolymerizable unsaturated compound.