Synthesis and Characterization of Photo-Responsive and pH-Responsive Functional Monomer

A photo-responsive and pH-responsive functional monomer, 4-amino-4′-methacrylatyl azobenzene is prepared by diazotization-coupling reaction, esterification and nitro reduction with p-nitroaniline as starting material. The structure of the synthesized functional monomer is confirmed with 1H-NMR. The synthesis condition of the selective catalytic reduction of nitro with Zn-AlCl3 system is discussed. The optimum experimental condition is studied and isolated yield is 58.5%. The functional monomer shows good photo and pH responsive properties as detected by UV-Vis spectrum.