Synthesis of a novel class of chromophoric cross-linkers

Considering the special place of aromatic diazo compounds in photo-responsive materials and growing demand for materials with interesting optical properties, a new class of chromophoric cross-linkers was synthesized by acrylation of diazo derivatives of m-diaminobenzene. The cross-linkers are soluble in a wide variety of organic solvents as well as in mixtures of water and water miscible solvents. The chromophores of the cross-linkers are stable in protic and some certain aprotic solvents and remain stable after cross-linking. The chemical structure of this class allows one to have a cross-linker with tuned chemical reactivity and solubility with post-linking applicability. The cross-linkers are obtained from reactions with simple chemistry in high yields and are able to participate in radical and ionic polymerization as well as in nucleophilic addition reactions. Successful participation of these substances in acrylamide polymerization and sol–gel preparation is demonstrated.