Hans Dr. Zweifel

Photochemical imaging processes for the formation of metallic patterns on polymers

Abstract A homogeneous polymer for photometallization containing anthraquinonyl (AQ) and hydroxyalkyl groups was studied, where some of the hydroxyalkyl groups are complexed with copper carboxylate. On irradiation AQ is excited to an n → π * type of triplet state and subsequently reacts with a hydroxyalkyl group to form the semiquinone radical and the hydroxyalkyl radical. Almost all semiquinone radicals disproportionate to AQ and AQH 2 . Copper ions are reduced to catalytic nuclei by AQH 2 as well as by hydroxy-alkyl radicals. Hydroxyalkyl radicals that are not consumed for reduction recombine to form a cross-linked polymer.