SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOSENSITIVE 4,4'-BIS(DIMETHYLAMINO)DIPHENYLMETHYL ETHERS OF CELLULOSE

Soluble 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)diphenylmethyl ethers of cellulose (2) with a degree of substitution from 0,5 to 1,0 were prepared by etherification of cellulose dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide/LiCl. These ethers 2 show typical absorption spectra with an absorption maximum at 265 nm. While in neutral and basic medium 2 are stable, under acidic conditions a significant cleavage of the ether bonds occurs and thereby the formation of Michler's hydrol blue (absorption maximum at 604 nm). 2 was found to be photoconducting as film cast from a N,N-dimethylformamide solution, for instance. Preliminary studies of the behavior of solutions of 2 by irradiation by means of flash photolysis and UV spectroscopy were carried out as well.