NEW SYNTHESIS OF ARYL-SUBSTITUTED SULFONIUM SALTS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PHOTOINITIATED CATIONIC POLYMERIZATION

This paper describes the development of a novel, general, and high-yield synthesis of aryl-substituted sulfonium salts by the direct reaction of diaryl and dialkyl sulfoxides with activated aromatic compounds in the presence of P2O5-methanesulfonic acid. In particular, the synthesis of triarylsulfonium salts bearing long alkoxy chains has led to a class of highly useful photoinitiators for cationic polymerization with high photoresponse and excellent solubility in a wide variety of monomeric and polymeric substrates. These photoinitiators are of considerable interest for use in a wide variety of UV curing and microlithographic applications. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.