Thiophene-fused boron dipyrromethenes as energy efficient near-infrared photocatalysts for radical polymerizations

Abstract

A series of thiophene-fused boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) photoredox catalysts are systematically examined to identify structure–reactivity relationships that enable efficient near-infrared light-induced polymerizations.

Efficient Near-Infrared Photopolymerizations Using azaBODIPYs with Electron-Donating Groups and Intramolecular Charge Transfer

“…This results in longer times to solidification, precluding the use of visible-to-NIR light in the aforementioned applications that often require curing in under ∼60 s or a polymerization rate on the order of ∼0.1 M/s at modest light intensities (≲50 mW/cm 2 ) to be practical. Although recent progress has been made in improving the efficiency (e.g., speed and sensitivity) of visible-to-NIR photocuring, − including for use in 3D printing, − novel photocatalyst systems and greater fundamental insights into their design principles are required to consider implementation in commercially relevant photocuring technologies.…”