Photopolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and other Acrylates with the Use of [Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene as Photoinitiator

[Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene (HTIB) was found to be an effective photoinitiator for the solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The polymerization is strongly inhibited in the presence of hydroquinone, it is not affected by air, and it is favored in the presence of nucleophilic solvents. A kinetic study of solution polymerization in N,N-dimethylformamide indicated a free radical polymerization mechanism involving complexation of initiator molecules with the solvent prior to radical generation, and bimolecular termination of chain radicals. Methyl acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were also polymerized with HTIB as photoinitiator, but styrene could not be polymerized under similar conditions.