Photopolymerization of thiol–allyl ether and thiol–acrylate coatings with visible light photosensitive systems

The photoinitiated polymerization reactions of thiol–allyl ether and thiol–acrylate mixtures under visible light in the presence of several visible photoinitiating systems have been investigated. Remarkable high yield of conversions as well as fast rates of polymerization are observed; a photoinitiating system based on Rose Bengal/Ferrocenium salt/hydroperoxide is particularly efficient. The role of a large variety of photoinitiating systems and the mechanisms involved in the initiation step are discussed.