New aspects on the photoinitiated free radical promoted cationic polymerization

Abstract

AbstractGeneral aspects of the photoinitiated free radical promoted cationic polymerization are discussed. The applicability of pyridinium salts, a new class of photoinitiators, of appropriate redox potential Ered1/2 in oxidizing carbon‐centered free radicals to carbocations capable of initiating the polymerization of various compounds is demonstrated. Moreover, the use of polysilanes as source for readily oxidizable free radicals is described. Furthermore, possibilities for preparing block copolymers by free radical promoted cationic polymerization are pointed out.