A series of Norrish
type I photoinitiators (NASs), which are naphthalimide
aryl sulfide derivatives, are prepared. The potential mechanism involved
in the photolysis of NASs under UV LED at 405 nm is investigated by
steady-state photolysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin
resonance, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and laser
flash photolysis and by calculating the bond dissociation energies
of the C–S bonds of NASs. The as-prepared photoinitiators NAS5
and NAS6 can efficiently initiate free radical photopolymerization
of (methyl)acrylate monomers under UV LED exposure at 405 nm. NASs/iodonium
salt systems can initiate the cationic photopolymerization of epoxide.
Interestingly, NASs exhibit an excellent stability to sunlight. Thus,
the use of NASs makes the preparation, storage, and application of
photocurable formulations convenient.