CA1080238A

CA1080238A - Polymerisable esters

Info

Publication number: CA1080238A
Application number: CA240,711A
Authority: CA
Inventors: George E. Green
Original assignee: Ciba Geigy AG
Current assignee: Novartis AG
Priority date: 1974-11-30
Filing date: 1975-11-28
Publication date: 1980-06-24
Also published as: FR2292726A1; CH618674A5; JPS5178226A; FR2292726B1; JPS5928897B2; US4079183A; DE2553346A1; GB1489419A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The esters are soluble in an aqueous solution of a base be-fore exposure to actinic radiation but, on exposure to actinic radia-tion, polymerise and become insoluble in such an aqueous solution.
Development of photopolymerised images does not therefore require the use of toxic or flammable organic solvents. They contain free carco-xyl groups and at least one unit of the formula I-IV

I II

III IV
where R1 is a carbon atom chain containing specified groupings, such as one of formula -CH=CH-CO-CH=CH-, -CH=CHCO-, -COCH=CHC6H4CH=
CHCO-, or

Description

10~

POLYMERISABLE ESTERS

This invention relates to esters which polymerise on exposure to actinic radiation, to methods of preparing them and of polymeri-sing such esters by means of actinic radiation, to supports bearing thereon such an ester in the polymerisable state, and to supports bearing thereon an ester polymerised by means, of actinic radiation.

Substances capable of becoming polymerised on exposure to actinic radiation are used in, for example, the preparation of prin-ting plates for offset printing and of printed circuits, and for coa-ting metals, such as in the manufacture of cans (see, e.g. Kosar, "Light-sensitive systems: Chemistry and Application of non-silver halide photographic Processes", Wiley, New. York, 1965; Delzenne, "Synthesis and Photocrosslinking of Light-Sensitive Polymers" in European Polym. J. Suppl., 1969, pp. 55-91; Williams, "Photopoly-merisation and Photocrosslinking of Polymers" in Forschr. chem.
Forsch., Vol. 13 (2), 227-250). There are various drawbacks in the substances presently available which may be polymerised by exposure to actinic radiation. Some are so unstable that they must be applied to a substrate only immediately prior to exposing them to actinic radiation. Others are relatively insensitive and need lengthy expo-sure to actinic radiation in order to become sufficiently polymeri-sed. Others, after being polymerised, are not resistant to etching baths used in subsequent processes.

In most cases the reproduction of an image is desired: a layer of the polymerisabble material is exposed to actinic radiation imagewise as through a negative and then "developed" by being washed with a suitable liquid, such as perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, cyclo-hexanone, n-propanol, ethanol, toluene, benzene,ethyl acetate, and mixtures thereof, to dissolve and remove that portion of the layer ~:~} ~

~O~VZ38 which was not polymerised by exposure to actinic radiation.

However, the use of such organic solvents is often undesi-rable, on grounds of their flammability or toxicity, and so the need exists for substances which may be polymerised by means of actinic radiation and then "developed" by aqueous media.

It has now been found that by using novel esters the afore-said disadvantages of materials previously available for polymeri-sation by actinic radiation can be at least substantially overcome.

One aspect of this invention accordingly provides estersl~as a composition of matter, which are soluble in an aqueous solution of a base before exposure to actinic radiation, but which polymerize on exposure to actinic radiation and become insoluble in said aqueous solution, which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of (1) a phenol of the formula ~ [ C 1 ~ ~ ] e \

where one Z represents H, the other Z represents OH, R and R individually are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, or conjointly de-note a polymethylene chain of 2 to 4 methylene groups, d and e are each zero, 1, or 2, with the proviso that they ~' ' "~' lO~VZ3~3 are not both zero, and

(2) a compound containing one or more 1,2-epoxy groups selec-ted from the group consisting of the glycidyl esters, glycidyl ethers, N-glycidyl compounds, S-glycidyl compounds, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin, or (la)a glycidyl ether of the formula Z' H=C ~ ~ =C

o where one Z' represents H, the other Z' represents o -O-CH2-C~-~H2, R2, R3, and e are as defined above, and (2a) an acid of the formula R CH=C - COOH

where R represents hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic, aralipha-tic or heterocyclic group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, cyano or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said phenol (1) and 1,2 epoxy compound (2) or said glycidyl , lO~U238 ether (la) and acid (2a) being reacted at a temperature of 80 to 150C, ln in the presence of an inert solvent, a free-radical poly-merization inhibitor and a ring opening catalyst selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine and a quaternary ammonium com-pound, and in a ratio of from 0,75 to 1.25 acid equivalents or phenolic hydroxyl equivalents per each 1,2-epoxide group in the epoxy coreactant, with (B) a dianhydride selected from the group comsisting of benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, cyclo-pentane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, pyromellitic acid dianhydride, 3,4-dicarboxy-1,2, 3,4-tetrahydronaphth-1-ylsuccinic acid dianhydride, 5,6,9,10-tetracarboxytricyclo [6.2.2.0 ] dodeca-2,11-diene dianhydride, naphthalene-2,3,7-tetracyrboxylic acid dian-hydride and compound of the formula /CO\ ~-\ /COOR OOC ~ ~-\ /CO\
O~ i i1 1 i1 0 CO ~- COOH HOOC ~- CO

where ~ is alkylene, said reaction product (A) and the dianhydride (B) being reac-ted at a temperature of 80-150C in an inert solvent and with a tertiary amine esterification catalyst, and in a ratio of 0,7 to 1,2 carboxylic acid anhydride equivalents of th~ anhydride for each hydroxyl group of product (A).

Preferably the phenol (1) has the formula C'~
- , , , ~ :

' _.
HO~ CH=CH-CO-CH=CH--~ /~OH
or HO-.~ CH=CH-CO--~ ~-- OH

Preferably the 1,2-epoxy compound (2) is selected from the group ccnsisting of glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, glyci-dyl 3-(styryl)-acrylate, glycidyl 3-(2-furyl) acrylate, glycidyl

3-(2-pyridyl)acrylate, glycidyl 3-(3-pyridyl)acrylate, glycidyl cinnamate and glycidyl sorbate.

Preferably the acid (2a) is selected from the group consi-sting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 3-(styrylacrylic acid, 3-(2-furyl)acrylic acid, 3-(2-pyridyl) acrylic acid, 3-(3-Pyridyl) acry-lic acid, cinnamic acid and sorbic acid.

Preferably the acid dianhydride (B) is selected from the group consisting of benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrideand pyromellitic acid dianhydride.

Preferably the 1,2-epoxy compound (2) is selected from the group consisting of epichlorhydrin, glycidyl sorbate, diglycidyl ether of 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, N,N'-diglycidyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycidyl ether.

Preferred is an ester according to this invention which com-prises the condensation product of (A) the reation product of . ~g~

lO~V238 (1) a phenol of the formula ._. ._.
HO-~ CH=CH-CO~CH=CH--~ ~7-OH
=. .=-or ._.
HO~ CH=CH-CO~ OH, and =-- .=-(2) a compound containing one or more 1,2-epoxy groups selec-ted from the group consisting of epichlorohydrin, glycidyl sorbate, diglycidyl ether of 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, N,N~diglyci-dyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycidyl ether, with (B) a dianhydride selected from the group consisting of benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and pyro-mellitic acid dianhydride.

Preferred is also an ester according to this invention which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of (l) a phenol of the formula _._--HO--~ CH=CH-CO-CH=CH-~ ~--OH
=-.=.

_. ._. .
HO~ CH=CH-CO~ --OH, and (2) A compound containing a 1,2-epoxy group selected from the group consisting of epichlorhydrin, glycidyl sorbate, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycicyl ether, with 108VZ3~3 (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

A further preferred ester according to this invention com-prises the condensation product of (A) the reaction of the phenol (1) ~0~ CH=CH-CO-CH-CH--~ ~--OH and . .-(2) epichlorhydrine, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

Preferred is further an ester which comprises the condensa-tion product of (A) the reaction product of the phenol (1) HO~ --CH-CH-CO-CH-CH--~ ~--OH
.,. .=.

(2) glycidyl sorbate, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetra-carboxylic acid dianhydride.

A further preferred ester according to this invention com-prises the condensation product (A) of the reaction product of the phenol (1) HO--~ CH-CH-CO-CH-CH--~ ~-- OH

and (2) allyl glycidyl ether, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetra-carboxylic acid dianhydride.

Preferred is also an ester which comprises the condensation product (A) of the reaction product of the phenol (1) HO--~ ~--CH-CHCOCH-CH-~ -OH
... ...

~08(~Z3~

and (2) glycidyl methacrylate with (B) benzophenone-3,3'.4.4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

Preferred is further an ester according to the invention which comprises the condensation product (A) auf the reaction pro-duct of the phenol (1) HO-~ CH=CH-CO--~ OH
=- .=-and (2) epichlorhydrin, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarbo-xylic acid dianhydride.

A further preferred ester according to the invention contains from 10 to 50% by weight of units { CH=C~ =CE~

derived from the phenol (1) or glycidyl ether (la).

A wide range of epoxides (2) can be used in the reaction with the phenols (1).

As examples of suitable polyepoxides may be mentioned polygl~
cidyl esters obtainable by reaction of a compound containing two or morefreecarboxyl groups per molecule with epichlorhydrin or glycerol dichlorohydrin in the presence of an alkali. Such polyglycidyl esters may be derived from aliphatic polycarboxylic acids. e.g., glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azealic acid. sebacic acid, or dimerised or trimerised linoleic acid; from cycloaliphatic acids such as tetrahydrophthalic acid, 4-methyltetra-hydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, and 4-methylhexahydro-.~,.
.~

~lO~Z38 phthalic acid; and from aroma~ic acids such as phthalic acid, iso-phthalic acid, and terephthalic acid.

There may also be used polymers of glycidyl esters od ethyl-enically unsaturated acids and copolymers of such glycidyl esters with a second ethylenically unsaturated compound. Suitable polymers and copolymers include poly(glycidyl acrylate), poly(glycidyl meth-acrylate) and copolymers of an a-mono-olefin such as styrene or methyl methacrylate with glycidyl acrylate or glycidyl methacrylate.

Further examples are glycidyl ethers obtainable by reaction of a compound containing free alcoholic hydroxyl and/or phenolic hydroxyl groups per molecule with the appropriate epichlorhydrin or glycerol dichlorhydrin under alkalin conditions or, alternatively, in the presence of an acidic catalyst and subsequent treatment with alkali. These ethers may be made from acyclic alcohols such as ethyl-ene glycol, diethylene glycol, and higher poly(oxyethylene) glycols, propane-l, 2-diol and poly(oxypropylene) glycols, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol, poly(oxytetramethylene) glycols, pentane-1,5-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, hexane-2,4,6-triol, glycerol, l,l,l-trimethylol-propane, pentaeryt4ritol, sorbitol, and poly(epichlorhydrin); from cycloaliphatic alcohols such as resorcitol, quinitol, bis(4-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)methane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane, and l,l-bis (hydroxymethyl)cyclohex-3-ene, and from alcohols having aromatic nuclei, such as N,N-bis(27hydroxyethyl)-aniline and p,p'-bis(2-hyd-roxyethylamino)diphenylmethane. Or they may be made from mononuclear phenols, such as resorcinol and hydroquinone, and from polynuclear phenols, such as bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulphone, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (otherwise known as bisphenol A), 2,2-bis-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, and novolaks formed from aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chloral, and fur-furaldehyde, with phenols such as phenol itself and phenol substituted ¢î

VZ3~3 in the ring by one or more chlorine atoms or by alkyl groups each containing up to nine carbon atoms, such as 4-chlorphenol, 2-methyl-phenol, and 4-tert.butylphenol.

Poly(N-glycidyl) compounds which may be used include the glycidyl derivatives of amines, such as bis(4-aminophenyl)methane and bis(4-aminophenyl) sulphone, and also the N-glycidyl derivatives of cyclic ureas, such as those of isocyanuric acid, hydantoins, uracils, dihydrouracils, parabanic acids, bis(hydantoin-l-yl)alkanes, ethylene-ureas (imidazolin-2-ones), and 1,3-propyleneureas (hexahydro-2H-pyrimidin-2-ones).

Examples of poly(S-glycidyl) compounds are the tris(S-glycidyl) derivatives, described in United Kingdom Patent Specification No.
1352527, of cyclododecanetrithiols prepared from cyclododeca-1,5,9-triene.

Polyepoxydes having terminal 1,2-epoxide groups attached to different kinds of hetero atoms may also be employed, e.g., the N,N,O-triglycidyl derivative o p-aminophenol.

There may also be used polyepoxides in which the 1,2-epoxide groups are not terminal, as in 3-(3',4'-epoxycyclohexyl)-2,4-dioxa-spiro[5,5]-8,9-epoxyundecan and 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl 3,',4'-epoxy-cyclohexanecarboxylate and its 6,6'-dimethyl derivate.

As examples of suitable monoepoxides may be mentioned ethylene and prolylene oxides, epichlorhydrin, glycidyl acetate, glycidyl acrylate und methacrylate, and methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, phenyl, o, m-, and p-cresyl glycidyl ethers.

Preferably the epoxide contains glycidyl groups attached to oxygen, nitrogen, or sulphur, i.e., the alcoholic hydroxyl groups ~ 1 ,~

~08~ 38 which react with the dianhydride are present in groups of the formula XIV to XVIII

~ ~. R~

OH OH

~ R -.~ ~. XV
~=- =.

OH

21 2 ~ -~ XVI
~=- =-OH
~ ~ _ Rl ~ 1I XVII
~=./ \0/

OH or OH ~ ~- Rl ~ 11 XVIII

OH

attached to oxygen, nitrogen, or sulphur atoms, and particularly preffered are the alcohols in which such groups are directly atta-ched to oxygen atoms which are part of the residue of a phenol or of an alcohol after removal of one or two hydrogen atoms or are directly attached to cne or two nitrogen atoms which are part of the 23~

heterocyclic ring of a cyclic urea.

In the foregoing formulæ ,R preferably represents a group of formula -CH2CH-C-CH=CH XIX
o -CH=CH-C--C-CH=CH~ CH=CH-C- XXI
Il .=. Il O O

or ~'\ XX~I

and the units of XVII and XVIII are preferably further of the formula ~ ~. Rl~ ! XVII~

OH
and -CH2CHCH20 `~ ~ _ Rl _li li XVIIIA
OH ~ =- O

OH

respectively.

,~
.,~ ~,~;

.

108(~238 Preferably the esters of this invention also contain groups of the formula R CH = C(R8)COO- XXIII

directly attached to carbon atoms, where R represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic or heterocyclic group of 1 to l2 carbon atoms, especially a group having olefinic unsaturation or aromaticity in conjugation with the ndicated ethylenic double bond, and R represents a hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl hydrocarbon group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Especially preferred groups of formula XXIII are acrylyl, methacrylyl, 3-(styryl)acrylyl, 3-(2-Furyl)acrylyl, 3-(2_pyridyl) acrylyl, 3-(3-pyridyl)acrylyl, cinnamyl, and sorbyl groups.

Such groups may be introduced by using, as the epoxide which is made to react with the respective phenol to form the alcohol, a glycidyl ester of formula R7CH = C(R )COOCH2 ~ H2 XXIV

or, by using as the alcohol, an adduct of an acid of formula R CH = C(R )COOH XXV

. ., ,,s ,'t ~08~3238 with a glycidyl ether o~ formula _. _--~ ~ _ Rl_.~ ~. XXVI
,X=. =-\
C~--CHCH20 OCH2CH--CH2 O O
_. _.
~ 3._ R - ~ ~- XXVII
.=. .=. .
CH~ - CHCH20 / \ / XXVIII
~=- =-\ /
o ._. .
~ Rl ~. I! XXIX

\ ~ or CH2--CHCH20~ ._. ,, ~ Rl~.~ ,1! xxx ~<=- O
C~--CHCH20 where the symbols have the meanings previously assigned.

~he glycidyl ethers of formula XXIX und XXX are further pre-, . -8V~38 ferably of the formulae C~2 CIIC1120 \ o XXIX~

and /o CH2 CHCil20 ~R ~J
\ O /

XXXA

respectively.
Glycidyl ethers of the type shown in formulae XXVI to XXXare described in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2342407.
Reaction of the glycidyl ester of formula XXIV with the phenol of any of formulae IX or XIII, or of the acid of formula XXV
with a glycidyl ether of any of the formu~e XXVI to XXX, to form the a].cohol is preferably similarly effected, i.e., using from 0.75 to 1.25 acid equivalents or phenolic hydroxyl equivalents per 1,2-epoxide equivalent of the coreactants, in an inert solvent (such as cyclohexanone~, in the presence of a catalyst such as a tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium compound, and heating for from one half to three hours at a temperature of from 80 to 150C.
Preferably, too, the reaction is carried out in the presence r~ ~

~081~238 of an inhibitor of free radicals, such as hydroquinone.

Numerous bases are suitable, as their aqueous solutions, for developing the irradiated ester. Solutions such as sodium hydroxide of normality from 2.5 to as low as 0.01 have given good results, as have 0.001 to 1 N aqueous solutions of ammonia, or solutions of triethanolamine (e.g., of 0.35 M): solutions of salts having an alka-line reaction, such as disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, may also be employed.

As prepared~ the esters may contain small quantities of a hydroquinone or other free-radical inhibitor added to prevent free-radical polymerisation taking place during preparation of the ester.
Such inhibitors are usually not deleterious since they maintain the stability of the ester during storage but do not prevent polymeri-sation on exposure to actinic radiation.

The esters of this invention are of particular value in the production of printing plates and printed circuits, especially mul-tilayer printed circuits which can be prepared without removal of the photopolymerised ester. A layer of the ester may be applied to a support by coating the support with a solution of the ester in any convenient solvent, e.g., cyclohexanone, or a mixture of toluene and acetone or of toluene and ethyl methylketone, and allowing or causing t'ne solvent to evaporate; the layer may be applied by dipping, spin-ning or spin-coating ta process in which the material is put on a plate which is then rotated at high speed to distribut the material over the plate), spraying, or by means of a roller.

This invention also includes a plate sensitive to actinic radiation comprising a support, which may be of, for example, paper, copper, aluminium or other metal, synthetic resin, or glass, carrying a layer of such an ester, also a support bearing upon its surface .~ i ~ , .

.

.

~O~VZ3~

such an ester which has been polymerised by exposure to actinic ra-diation. It also provides a method of polymerising such an ester which comprises subjecting a plate carrying a layer of the ester to actinic radiation, optionally imagewise as through a negative, and removing the unpolymerised portions, if any, of the ester by dissolving them in an aqueous solution of a base.

In polymerising the esters of this invention, actinic radia-tion of wavelength 200 to 600 nm is preferably used.

If desired the ester may be exposed to actinic radiation in the presence of a sensitiser such as a quinone (specific examples of which are toluquinone, 2,6-dichloroquinone, 2,5-diphenylquinone, 1,2- and 1,4-naphthaquinone, and benzanthraquinone), a diphenyl-carbinol (such as bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl) carbinol), a diphenyl-methane, or a benzophenone (specific examples of which are Michler's ketone and bis(p-diethylamino)benzophenone), benzoin, and alkyl ethers of benzoin, such as its methyl ether.

The coating of the ester should be applied to the support so that, upon drying, its thickness will be in the range of from about 1 to 250 nm. The thickness of the polymerisable layer is a direct function of the thickness desired in the relief image, which will depend on thesubject being reproduced and particularly on the extent of the areas to be etched. The wet polymer caoating may be dried by air drying or by any other known drying technique, and the polymeri-sable system may then be stored until required for use.

The polymerisable coatings can be insolubilised by exposure to actinic radiation through an image-bearing transparency consisting of substantially opaque and transparent areas. Suitable sources of actinic radiation include carbon arcs, mercury vapour arcs, fluores-cent lamps with phosphors emitting ultra-violet light, argon and .,,~ ~

xenon glow lamps, tungsten lamps, and photographic flood lamps. Of these, mercury vapour arcs, particularly sun lamps, fluorescent sun lamps~ and metal halide lamps are most suitable. The time required for the exposure of an ester will depend upon 8 variety of factors which include, for example, the individual ester being utilised, the thick-ness of the coating, the type of light source, and its distance from the coating.

If appropriate, say, on the production of printed circuits where the support is of copper or of other suitable electircally-conducting metal, the exposed metal is etched in an conventional manner using, for example, ferric chloride, or ammonium persulphate solutions.

The esters may, if desired, be partially polymerised before applying if to the support, in order to improve the film-forming or mechanical properties of the irradiated product. Such a partial prepolymerisation can be effected by heating: ist should not, however, proceed beyond the stage at which a correctly differentiated image is obtained on the plate when the plate is exposed. The ester may also be heated after exposure to actinic radiation to enhance the degree of polymerisation.

The following Exampl~ illustrate the invention. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius and parts are by weight.

Example 1: A mixture of 1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (26.6 g?, epichlorhydrin (18.5 g), N-benzyldimethylamine (0,4 g), and cyclohexanone (45 g3 was stirred at 120 for 3 hours, by w~ich time the epoxide content was negligible.

The product was cooled to 60 and benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (referred to hereinafter as BTDA) , .
-:
:
.

108i~238 (29.3 g), cyclohexanone (30 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.3 g) were added. This mixture was again heated at 120 for 2 houræ, by which time anhydride groups could no longer be detected by infrared spectroscopy.

A copper-clad laminate was coated with the composition and the solvent was evaporated by heating for about 5 minutes at 80 to leave a film about 10 nm thicks. This film was irradiated for 10 minutes through a negative using a 500 watt medium pressure mercury lamp at a distance of 200 mm. After irradiation, the image was deve-lopped in an aqueous solution (0.01 N) of sodium hydroxide, the unexposed areas being washed away in a few seconds to leave a good relief image on the copper. The irradiated film was resistant to organic solvents - rubbing it twenty times with a cotton wool swab soaked in acetone, which is a standard test for ascertaining the solvent-resistanceof coatings, did not affect it. The uncoated areas were then etched by means of aquous ferric chloride solution (40%
w/v FeC13) at 32.

Example 2: A mixture of 1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (12.5 g), glycidyl sorbate (15.6 g, having an epoxide content of 5.95 equiv/kg), tetramethylammonium chloride (0.1 g), hydroquinone (0.025 g), and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (28 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 hours, by which time the epoxide content was negligible. This product was cooled to about 60 and 8TDA (20 g), 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (20 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.4 g) were added. The mixture was then stirred at 120 for 2 hours, by which time its anhydride content was negligible.

The composition was tested as described in Exemple 1. A good relief image was obtained after 5 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).

188V23~3 Example 3: A mixture of 15.8 g of the digylcidyl ether of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane (having an epoxide content of 5.2 equiv./kg), l-phenyl-3-(4-hydrox]phenyl)prop-1-ene-3-one (20 g), tetramethylammoni-umchloride (0.1 g), and cyclohexanone (37 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 hours.

The product, which had a negligible epoxide content, was coo-led to about 60 and pyromellitic acid dianhydride (9.5 g), cyclohexa-none (10 g),and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.5 g) were added. This mix-tures was again stirred at 120 for 2 hours, by which time the anhy-dride content was negligible.

The composition was tested as described in Example 1. After 15 minutes' irradiation an image was obtained and was developed in O.OlN aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.

Example 4: The procedure of Example 3 was repeated, using a mixture of N,N-diglycidyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (12.5 g), 1 phenyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-prop-l-en-3-one (20.7 g), tetramethylammonium chloride (0.1 g), and cyclohexanone (33.5 g) and stirring for 4 hours in the first stage, and 13.5 g of BTDA, 14 g of cyclohexanone, and 0.5 g of N-benzyldimethylamine in the second.

The composition was tested as described in Example 1. A good relief image was obtained after 15 minutes' irradiation and deve-lopment in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).
A similar result was obtained after 5 minutes' irradiation followed by development in O.OlN aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.

Example 5: A mixture of 1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)penta-1~4-dien-3-one (20 g), glycidyl methacrylate having an epoxide content of 7.36 e-quiv./kg (20.4 g), tetramethylammonium chloride ~0.Z g), hydroqui-none (0.05 g), and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (46.6 g) was stirred at a~
~. :

.

10~238 120 for 3 hours, by which time the epoxide content was negligible.
This product was cooled to about 60 and BTDA (22 g), 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (22 g), hydroquinone (0.05 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0,7 g) were added. The mixture was then stirred at 120 for 2 hours, by which time is anhydride content was negligible.

The composition was tested as described in Example 1. A good relief image was obtained after 6 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).

Example 6: A mixture of 1,5-bis(4-nydroxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (20 g), allyl glycidyl ether, having an epoxide content of 7.7 equiv./
kg (19.5 g), tetramethylammonium chloride (0.2 g), hydroquinone (0.05 g), and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (39.5 g) was stirred at 120 for

4 hours, by which time the epoxide content was 0.7 equiv./kg. The product was cooled to about 60 and ETDA (22 g), 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (22 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.7 g) were added. The mixture was then stirred at 120 for 2 hours, by which time its anhydride content was negligible.

The composition was tested as in Example 1. A relief image was obtained after 6 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate (0.35M).

Exa~ple 7: A mixture of 28,2 g of the diglycidyl ether of 1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (having an epoxide content of

5.14 equiv./kg), 3-(2-furyl)acrylic acid (20 g), tetramethylammonium chloride (0,2 g), hydroquinone (0.05 g), and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (48.2 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 hours, by which time the epoxide content was negligible. The product was cooled to 60 and BTDA
(23.2 g), 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (23.2 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.7 g) were added. This mixture was again stirred at 120 for 2 108~)Z3~3 hours, by which time the anhydride content was negligible. To the composition were added 71.4 g of 2-ethoxyethyl acetate and 50 g of 2-methoxyethanol and the mixture was tested as described in Example 1. A good relief image was obtained after 6 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).

Example 8: A mixture of 1,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-1-en-3-one (24.0 g), epichlorhydrin (18.5 g), N-benzyldimethylamine (0.4 g), and cyclohexanone (43 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 hours, by which time its epoxide content was negligible.

The product was colled to 60 and BTDA (29.3 g), cyclohexan-one (30 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.3 g) were adted. This mix-ture was again heated at 120 for 2 hours.

The composition had a viscosity of 32,000 cP at 22 (Brook-field RVT voscometer, Spindle number ;).

The composition was tested as described in Example 1. A good relief image was ontained after 20 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).

Example 9: A mixture of 9 g of the digylcidyl ether of 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (having an epoxide content of 5.3 equiv./kg.), 1-(2-furyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-1-en-3-one (10.2 g), tetramethyl-ammonium chloride (0.07 g), and cyclohexanone (20 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 hours, by which time its epoxide content was negligible.

The product was colled to 60 and BTDA (7.6 g), cyclohexanone (10 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.3 g) were added. The mixture was again stirred at 120 for 2 hours, and its viscosity was then t ~

lQ8~)Z3~

5.600 cP at 29 (Brookfield RVT viscometer; spindle number 5).

The composition was tested as described in Example 1. After 10 minutes' irradiation a good relief image was obtained and was developed in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate solution (0.35M).

Example 10: A mixture of 1,4-bis(4-hydroxybenzoylvinyl)benzene (30.6 g), epichlorhydrin (18.5 g), N-benzyldimethylamin (0.5 g), and cyclo-hexanone (50 g) was stirred at 120 for 3 L/2 hours, by which time its epoxide content was negligible.

The product was cooled to 60 and BTDA (29.3 g), cyclohexan-one (30 g), and N-benzyldimethylamine (0.3 g) were added. This mixtu-re was again heated at 120 for 2 hours and its viscosity was then 25,000 cP at 25 (Brookflied RVT viscometer; Spindle number 6).

The composition was tested as described in Example l. A
relief image was obtained after 20 minutes' irradiation followed by development in aqueous disodium hydrogen orthophosphate (0,34M).

v~
;J

Claims

Claims:

1. An ester as a composition of matter, which is soluble in an aqueous solution of a base before exposure to actinic radiation, but which polymerizes on exposure to actinic radiation and becomes insoluble in said aqueous solution, which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of (1) a phenol of the formula where one Z represents H, the other Z represents OH, R2 and R3 individually are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, or conjointly denote a polymethylene chain of 2 to 4 methylene groups, d and e are each zero, 1, or 2, with the proviso that they are not both zero, and (2) a compound containing one or more 1,2-epoxy groups selected from the group consisting of the glycidyl esters, glycidyl ethers, N-glycidyl compounds, S-glycidyl compounds, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and epichloro-hydrin, or (1a) a glycidyl ether of the formula where one Z'represents H, the other Z'represents , R2, R3, and e are as defined above, and (2a) an acid of the formula where R7 represents hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic or heterocyclic group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R8 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, cyano or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said phenol (1) and 1,2 epoxy compound (2) or said glycidyl ether (1a) and acid (2a) being reacted at a temperature of 80 to 150°C. In the presence of an inert solvent, a free-radical polymerization inhibitor and a ring opening catalyst selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine and a quaternary ammonium compound, and in a ratio of from 0.75 to 1.25 acid equivalents or phenolic hydroxyl equivalents per each 1,2-epoxide group in the epoxy coreactant, with (B) a dianhydride selected from the group consisting of benzophenone- 3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhyd-ride, cyclopentane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid dianhyd-ride, pyromellitic acid dianhydride, 3,4-dicarboxy-1,2, 3,4-tetrahydronaphth-1-ylsuccinlc acid dianhydride, 5,6, 9,10-tetracarboxytricyclo [6.2.2.02.7] dodeca-2,11-diene dianhydride, naphthalene-2,3,6,7-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and compound of the formula where R6 is alkylene, said reaction product (A) and the dianhydride (B) being reacted at a temperature of 80-150°C in an inert solvent and wlth a tertiary amine esterification catalyst, and in a ratio of 0.7 to 1.2 carboxylic acid anhydride equivalents of the anhydride for each hydroxyl group of product (A).

2. An ester according to claim 1 wherein the phenol (1) has the formula or

3. An ester according to claim 1 wherein the 1,2-epoxy compound (2) is selected from the group consisting of glycidyl acrylate, glycldyl methacrylate, glycidyl 3-(styryl)-acrylate, glycidyl 3-(2-furyl) acrylate, glycidyl 3-(2-pyridyl)acrylate,glycidyl 3-(3-pyridyl)acrylate, glycidyl cinnamate and glycidyl sorbate.

4. An ester according to claim 1 wherein the acid (2a) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 3-(styrylacrylic acid, 3-(2-furyl) acrylic acid, 3-(2-pyridyl) acrylic acid, 3-(3-pyridyl) acrylic acid, cinnamic acid and sorbic acid.

5. An ester according to claim 1 wherein the acid dianhydride (B) is selected from the group consisting of benzopheneone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and pyromellitic acid dianhydride.

6. An ester according to claim 1 wherein the 1,2-epoxy compound (2) is selected from the group consisting of epichlorohydrln, glycidyl sorbate, diglycidyl ether of 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, N,N'-diglycidyl-5,5-di-methylhydantoin, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycidyl ether.

7. An ester according to claim 1 which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of (1) a phenol of the formula or , and (2) A compound containing one or more 1,2-epoxy groups selected from the group consisting of epichloro-hydrin,glycidyl sorbate, diglycidyl ether of 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, N,N'-diglycidyl-5,5-dimethyl-hydantoin, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycidyl ether, with (B) a dianhydride selected from the group consisting of benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and pyromellitic acid dianhydride.

8. An ester according to claim 1 which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of (1) a phenol of the formula or , and (2) A compound containing a 1,2-epoxy group selected from the group consisting of epichlorchydrin, glycidyl sorbate, glycidyl methacrylate and allyl glycidyl ether, with (B) benzonphenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

9. An ester according to claim 8 which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction of the phenol (1) and (2) epichlorohydrin, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dian-hydride.

10. An ester according to claim 8 which comprises the condensation product of (A) the reaction product of the phenol (1) (2) glycidyl sorbate, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4, 4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

11. An ester according to claim 8 which comprises the condensation product (A) of the reaction product of the phenol (1) and (2) allyl glycidyl ether, with (B) benzophenone-3,3', 4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

12. An ester according to claim 8 which comprises the condensation product (A) of the reaction product of the phenol (1) and (2) glycidyl methacrylate with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

13. An ester according to claim 8 which comprises the condensation product (A) of the reaction product of the phenol (1) and (2) epichlorohydrin, with (B) benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.

14. An ester according to claim 1 which contains from 10 to 50% by weight of units derived from the phenol (1) or glycidyl ether (1a).