Thiol/ene free-radical reactions are highly effective when compared with
complicated synthesis methods and precise sequence control.
Investigation of mercapto-olefins for N-phenylacrylamide (NPA) by
thiol/ene free-radical mechanism has not been reported so far. Herein,
we report the thiol/ene free-radical reaction of N-phenylacrylamide
(NPA)/pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) by ultraviolet
irradiation to give the final product (abbreviation: NPP). The
preliminary applications of the NPP were also explored including
photoluminescence, adhesive, and thermoresponsive. The adhesion of the
NPP has been validated in various substrates. Moreover, it has a strong
ability to stick to glass surfaces, even when submerged in water for an
extended time. The better adhesion may be attributed to functional
groups forming dynamic crosslinks based on hydrogen bonding, van der
Waals interactions, and π-π interactions and high hydrophobicity of the
phenyl group. This strategy opens an avenue for NPA by thiol-ene click
reaction.