Water soluble onium salt type photo amphoteric compound generators

Abstract

We developed novel photo amphoteric compound generators (PAmGs) as a kind of photo-X- generators (PXGs), such as photo-acid generator (PAG). Onium salts that were prepared here generate sulfanilic acid, taurine, or 1-aminoadamantane-3-sulfonic acid in the photochemical reactions. These PAmGs are water-soluble, and photo-decomposable basic compounds to control pH of aqueous solution from basic to acidic side depending on the photon energy absorbed. The PAmG having aminoadamantane structures acted as a better acid-quencher than others did in polymer film. It has the possibility to enhance the contrast of acid concentration related with the resolution of photoresist using PAG. Furthermore, these water-soluble PAmGs induced the photo gelation of alginate by the pH control.