Poly(Vinyl Ketones): New Directions in Photodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Poly(vinyl ketones) (PVKs) have received considerable attention over the past few decades due to their unique photochemistry and photodegradation properties under ultraviolet (UV) light. Many PVKs rapidly undergo photodegradation under UV light. The side‐chain carbonyl moieties of PVKs permit photolysis through Norrish type I or Norrish type II reaction mechanisms and can also be readily modified by nucleophilic addition reactions. These unique properties lead to this class of polymers serving as versatile scaffolds for generating functional materials. This review captures the evolution of synthetic routes to access well‐defined PVKs, along with their photochemistry and photo‐degradation pathways, and discusses recent and potential applications of these photodegradable materials.

Photodegradable Dynamic Polyurethane Networks via Dithioacetals

“…Recently, Knowles studied the catalytic photodegradation of hydroxylated polymers via the proton-coupled electron transfer procedure. , Truong reported linear polyurethanes with acridine groups for visible light degradation in an aqueous environment . Although photodegradable moieties, including o -nitrobenzyl esters, acyl silane, and ketones, have been engineered into polymer networks for light-triggered degradation, most of these networks are not within the scope of dynamic polymers. Most of these unique photodegradable functionalities are difficult to incorporate and do not show dynamic properties for network reprocessing.…”

Controlled photodegradation of phenyl vinyl ketone polymers by reinforcement with softer networks

“…18,19 Phenyl vinyl ketone (PVK) polymers, in particular contain an acetophenone subgroup in every repeating unit, making them highly susceptible to photo degradation under UV light. 20–26 Further, PVK monomers act as intrinsic photo initiators through a proposed Norrish type I process (Scheme 1a). The photodegradation of PVK polymers has been reported in both polymer solutions and in material levels through Norrish II process (Scheme 1b).…”