Synthesis and photoresponsive properties of optically active methacrylic polymers bearing side-chain azocarbazole moieties

The synthesis of a novel optically active methacrylic monomer containing in the side chain the(S)-3-hydroxy-N-phenyl pyrrolidine ring linked to a 4-cyanophenylazocarbazole moiety [(S)-MCAPP-C] and of the analogous achiral monomer (MCAPE-C) is described. Both the monomershave been radically polymerized to produce the corresponding homopolymers as well as thecopolymer at 50% molar composition. Thephotoinduction of birefringence has beenassessed on thin films of the polymericmaterials in order to evaluate their behavioras materials for optical data storage. Surfacerelief gratings (SRG) can also be inscribed overthe material. The results are interpreted interms of different cooperative performanceand conformational stiffness of the chromophoricco-units in the polymeric derivatives.