Synthesis and characterization of polymerizable one-component photoinitiator based on sesamol

Migration stability and biocompatibility are the crucial features for a photoinitiator or coinitiator used in UV curable formulations, especially when the cured product is in direct contact with food or human skin. To reduce the migration issues and increase the biocompatibility, a polymerizable one-component photoinitiator, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)-3-(4-benzoylphenoxy)propan-2-yl acrylate (BDOBPAc), based on sesamol and benzophenone has been synthesized. The photopolymerization induced by BDOBPAc was monitored by real-time infrared spectroscopy. The rate of decomposition and the migration stability of photoinitiators were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that BDOBPAc is an effective free radical photoinitiator with good migration stability, which has great potential to be widely used in the food packing or biomedical fields.