Polyurethane cationomers with nitroazoaromatic groups

Novel polyurethane cationomers bearing p-nitroazoaromatic groups covalently incorporated in the polymer chain were synthesized. Their photobehavior in polymer films and solutions was investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy and was also evaluated comparatively with an ionic azodiol model. Under UV irradiation, in the first stage of the photoprocess the trans-cis isomerization occurs, followed then by a photobleaching reaction in the second stage of the process.