Energy-induced curable compositions

Claim 2

A polymerizable composition comprising one class of polymeric precursors selected from the group consisting of 1) at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, 2) at least one epoxy monomer, and 3) polyurethane precursors, and a curing agent comprising an organometallic compound and an onium salt, and optionally, a solvent.

Claim 3

The composition according to claim 1 which is photopolymerizable.

Claim 4

The composition according to claim 1 wherein said class of polymeric precursors is at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer or polyurethane precursors and said composition is thermally polymerizable.

Claim 5

The composition according to claims 1 to 3 wherein said organometallic compound has the formula, L' L2L3M wherein L l represents none, or 1 to 12 ligands contributing pi-electrons that can be the same or different ligand selected from substituted and unsubstituted acyclic and cyclic unsaturated compounds and groups and substituted and unsubstituted carbocyclic aromatic and heterocyclic aromatic compounds, each capable of contributing 2 to 24 pi-electrons to the valence shell of M; L 2 represents none, or 1 to 24 ligands that can be the same or different contributing an even number of sigma-electrons selected from mono-, di-, and tri-dentate ligands, each donating 2, 4, or 6 sigma-electrons to the valence shell of M; L 3 represents none, or 1 to 12 ligands that can be the same or different, each contributing no more than one sigma-electron each to the valence shell of each M; Ligands L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 can be bridging or non-bridging ligands; M represents 1 to 4 of the same or different metal atom selected from the elements of Periodic Groups IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIIIB; with the proviso that said organometallic compound contains at least one of a metal-metal sigma bond and L 3 ; and with the proviso that L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , and M are chosen so as to achieve a stable configuation.

Claim 6

The composition according to claims 1 to 4 wherein said onium sale has the formula II AX II wherein A is an iodonium, sulfonium, or diazonium cation, and X is an organic sulfonate counterion, or a halogenated metal or metalloid counterion.

Claim 7

The composition according to claims 1 to 5 wherein said ethylenically-unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylates, acrylamides and vinyl compounds.

Claim 8

The composition according to claims 1 to 5 wherein said polyurethane precursors comprise a mixture of polyisocyanates and compounds bearing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms where the ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms is in the range 1:2 to 2:1.

Claim 9

A process comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymerizable composition according to claims 1 to 7, and c) allowing said mixture to polymerize or adding energy to said mixture to effect polymerization.

Claim 10

A layered structure comprising a substrate having coated on one surface thereof the polymerizable composition according to claims 1 to 7.

Claim 11

The layered structure according to claim 9 which is an imageable structure.

Claim 12

The polymerizable composition according to claims 1 to 7 and 9 which has been cured.

Claim 13

A shaped article according to claim 11.