Optical properties of some new azo photoisomerizable bismaleimide derivatives.
Novel polythioetherimides bearing azobenzene moieties were synthesized from azobismaleimides and bis-2-mercaptoethylether. Kinetics of trans-cis photoisomerization and of thermal conversion of cis to trans isomeric forms were investigated in both polymer solution and poly(methyl methacrylate) doped films using electronic absorption spectroscopy. Thermal recovery kinetics is well described by a two-exponential relation both in solution and polymer matrix, while that of low molecular weight azobismaleimide fit a first-order equation. The photoinduced cis-trans isomerization by visible light of azobenzene chromophores was examined in solution and in polymer films. The rate of photoinduced recovery was very high for azobismaleimides.
"Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Aleea Grigore Ghica Voda, 700487 Iasi, Romania; E-Mails:  nfifere@yahoo.com  (N.F.);  michalupu@yahoo.co.uk  (M.H.);  cgaina@icmpp.ro  (C.G.);  vgaina@icmpp.ro  (V.G.);  bcsimion@icmpp.ro  (B.C.S.).
Anton
A
Airinei
Nicusor
N
Fifere
Mihaela
M
Homocianu
Constantin
C
Gaina
Viorica
V
Gaina
Bogdan C
BC
Simionescu
D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D007536:Isomerism; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D008301:Maleimides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055668:Photochemical Processes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013816:Thermodynamics
D001391:Azo Compounds; D008301:Maleimides; C043592:maleimide; C009850:azobenzene