Biomass-derived photoinitiators

A method of making a polymer, the method comprising exposing a biomass derived photoinitiator and a monomer to light to make a polymer, wherein the biomass derived photoinitiator comprises Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, or Formula IV:

• wherein:
• A or B is a ring derived from biomass;
• X is O, S, NH, Ge, NC (O)-O-RC, N-O-C(O)RC, or NO-RC, wherein RC is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;
• substituents RA1 to RA5 and RB1 to RB5 are any combination of H, alkyl, alkene, alkynes, aryl, heterocyclic, alkenyl halides, unsaturated enones, unsaturated ketones, unsaturated amides, unsaturated alcohols, unsaturated amines, unsaturated thiols, phosphonates, carboxylates, sulfonates, nitriles, thioethers, thioamides, thioketones, azides, sulfides, disulfides, ethers, epoxides, nitrates, nitrites, nitro compounds, nitroso compounds, alkyl ketoesters, acylgermanes, metallocenes, organosilanes, oximes, imides, cyanates, isocyanates, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, sulfoxides, sulfones, sulfites, phosphites, thial, phosphines, and aldehydes;
• the co-initiating unit is an amine, thiol, or any hydrogen donating atom;
• and
• the polymer unit is a vinyl, stryl, acryl, or a cyclic monomer selected from lactones, epoxides, lactides, lactams, silicon-containing cyclic monomers, and cyclic carbonates.

A method of making a benzophenone derivative, the method 45. comprising:

• synthesizing a benzhydrol derivative having Formula B:
• and
• oxidizing the benzhydrol derivative to form a benzophenone derivative;
• wherein R is H, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, halo-substituted alkyl, or thioalkyl.