Synthesis and photoresponsive Properties of Opticaly 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 monomers have been radically polymerized to produce the corresponding homopolymers as well as the copolymer at 50% molar composition. The photoinduction of birefringence has been assessed on thin films of the polymeric materials in order to evaluate their behavior as materials for optical data storage. Surface relief gratings (SRG) can also be inscribed over the material. The results are interpreted in terms of different cooperative performance and conformational stiffness of the chromophoric co-units in the polymeric derivatives.