Polymerizable UV absorbers for the UV stabilization of polyesters. I. Design, synthesis and polymerization of a library of UV absorbing monomers

UV stabilizers, such as Tinuvin 1577, are organic additives that are used in the polymer industry to suppress polymer photodegradation, however leaching of the stabilizers from polymers is a significant practical issue which limits the effectiveness of the stabilizers and restricts polymer lifetimes. Novel, polymerizable UV stabilizers were synthesised and copolymerized with bis(2-hydroxyethyl) isophthalate to yield poly(ethylene isophthalate) copolymers where the UV stabilizers are bound covalently into the polymer chains. This strategy prevents leaching of stabilizers from polymers over time, and is expected to lead to enhanced UV protection of polymers compared to the admixing of polymers with UV stabilizers of low molar mass.