Tuning Merocyanine Photoacid Structure to Enhance Solubility and Temporal Control: Application in Ring Opening Polymerization

Abstract

Herein we report the development of a merocyanine‐based photoacid with improved solubility in organic media and enhanced switching kinetics that can be used to impart temporal control over ring-opening polymerization. The effect of the structural modification on solubility, thermal relaxation kinetics and activation energy were evaluated using ¹H NMR and pump‐probe absorption spectroscopies. Overall, the new merocyanine based photoacid provides access to a wider range of chemical and material applications with improved solvent compatibility and temporal control.