2-(Hydroxyimino)aldehydes: Photo- and Physicochemical Properties of a Versatile Functional Group for Monomer Design.

In the context of our research on stimuli-responsive polymers bearing the 2-(hydroxyimino)aldehyde (HIA) group, we have explored the photochemical behavior and physicochemical properties of a number of HIAs. Interpretation of the experimental data is supported by quantum mechanical calculations. HIAs are expected to undergo photoisomerization, chelate metal ions, yield hydrogen-bonded dimers or oligomers, exhibit relatively low pK s, and form >C=NO radicals through OH hydrogen abstraction or oxidation of the oximate ion.