Anionic and Lewis base photopolymerization process and its use for making optical articles

The invention relates to a process for polymerising a monomer, polymerizing and/or crosslinking a oligomer, or crosslinking a polymer or copolymer, said monomer, oligomer, polymer and copolymer being selected among precursor monomers, urethane, thiourethane and episulfide oligomers, and urethane, thiourethane and episulfide polymers and copolymers, which comprises: (a) adding to precursor monomers or oligomers or polymers or copolymers an effective amount of at least one complex of Co, Mo or W which under irradiation conditions photochemically reacts to release at least one anionically charged nucleophile or uncharged Lewis base; and (b) irridiating the mixture of (a) to release the at least one anionically charged nucleophile or uncharged Lewis base to initiate polymerisation and/or crosslinking of the monomer, oligomer, polymer or copolymer.

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What is claimed is:

1. A process for polymerizing a monomer, polymerizing and/or crosslinking an oligomer, or crosslinking a polymer or copolymer, said monomer, oligomer, polymer and copolymerbeing selected from the group consisting of precursor monomers of the polymer or copolymer, urethane oligomers, thiourethane oligomers, episulfide oligomers, urethane polymers and copolymers, thiourethane polymers and copolymers, and episulfide polymersand copolymers, which comprises: (a) adding to precursor monomers or oligomers or polymers or copolymers an effective amount of at least one complex of Co, Mo or W which under irradiation conditions photochemically reacts to release at least oneanionically charged nucleophile or uncharged Lewis base; and (b) irradiating the mixture of (a) to release the at least one anionically charged nucleophile or uncharged Lewis base to initiate polymerisation and/or crosslinking of the monomer, oligomer,polymer or copolymer;

wherein the complex excludes trans-Co(en).sub.2 Cl.sub.2.sup.+ and trans-Co(cyclam)Cl.sub.2.sup.+.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the released anionically charged nucleophile is selected from the group consisting of a thiocyanate, acetate, benzoate, thiolate, alkoxylate anion or a mixture thereof.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the complex is selected from the group consisting of: [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (SCN).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] [Co(en).sub.2 (SCN).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] [Co(Py).sub.4 (SCN).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.2(SCN).sub.4 ] [K] [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.5 (CH.sub.3 COO)] [BPh.sub.4 ].sub.2 [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (CH.sub.3 COO).sub.4 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.5 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO)] [BPh.sub.4 ].sub.2 [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ][Co(NH.sub.3).sub.5 (SR)] [BPh.sub.4 ].sub.2 [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (SR).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.5 (OR)] [BPh.sub.4 ].sub.2 [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (OR).sub.2 ] [BPh.sub.4 ] and [Mo(CO).sub.5 (1,2-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane)], where R is an alkylgroup.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the mixture is irradiated with UV light.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said polymerization or crosslinking occurs at a temperature from about 20.degree. C. to about 30.degree. C.