Chemical compositions for authenticatable polymers and articles, and authentication methods thereof

1. An article, comprising:

a composition comprising a polymer and at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound;

wherein the at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound is present at 0.001 parts per million to about 20 weight percent relative to an overall weight of the composition, and wherein the at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound is selected from the group consisting of structures I and II:

wherein each R 1 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, electron withdrawing group, aliphatic group, cycloaliphatic group, aromatic group, divalent 1,2-cycloalkylidene group, or combinations thereof, and each R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, acetyl, benzoyl, propanoyl, butanoyl, pentanoyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, acetoacetyl, nitro, chloro, bromo, iodo, fluoro, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, aliphatic group, cycloaliphatic group, aromatic group, divalent 1,2-cycloalkylidene group, or combinations thereof; “q” is independently an integer from 1-4, L is a linking group, and “r” is independently 0 or 1; and wherein the at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound is present in the composition at a concentration sufficient to cause the composition to exhibit upon exposure to an excitation radiation having a wavelength of from about 330 nanometers to about 390 nanometers, a maximum fluorescence emission wavelength of greater than or equal to about 470 nanometers; and a Stokes shift of greater than or equal to about 80 nanometers; wherein the wavelengths are measured in bisphenol A polycarbonate matrix.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound has a 10 percent weight loss decomposition temperature, as measured in air of about 280° C. to about 450° C.

3. The article of claim 1 , wherein “q” =1.

4. The article of claim 3 , wherein “L” is independently selected from the group consisting of C═O, S, O, SO 2 , CR 3 R 4 , wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a cycloaliphatic group, and combinations thereof; and “r” is 0 or 1.

5. The article of claim 4 , wherein “r” is 0.

6. The article of claim 5 , wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of an ester group, a carboxylic acid group, a ketone group, a halogen group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a sulfone group, and combinations thereof.

7. The article of claim 6 , wherein the ketone group has a formula COR 7 , wherein R 7 is selected from the group consisting of a C 1 -C 12 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic group.

8. The article of claim 6 , wherein the ester group has a formula COOR 8 , wherein R 8 is selected from the group consisting of a C 1 -C 12 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic group.

9. The article of claim 1 , wherein the at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound is selected from the group consisting of structures XIII and XV:

10. The article of claim 1 , wherein the at least one [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound has an absorption cut-off wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum of less than or equal to about 420 nanometers.

11. The article of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, chlorinated polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylmethylene terephthalate, polyamides, polysulfones, hydrogenated polysulfones, polyimides, polyetherimides, polyethersulfones, polyphenylene sulfides, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, ABS resins, polystyrenes, hydrogenated polystyrenes, poly(cyclohexylethylene), poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile), poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) polybutadiene, poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(methylmethacrylate-co-imide)copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyphenylene, polyarylene ethers, polyamideimide, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), polyvinyl acetate, liquid crystal polymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyarylates, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polytetrafluoroethylenes, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, alkyds, polyurethane, mineral filled silicone resins, bis-maleimide resins, cyanate ester resins, vinyl resins, and benzocyclobutene resins; and blends, mixtures and copolymers, reaction products, and composites comprising the foregoing polymers.

12. The article of claim 1 , comprising from 0.001 parts per million to about 1 weight percent of the [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound, relative to an overall weight of the article.

13. The article of claim 1 , comprising from 0.5 parts per million to about 0.5 weight percent of the [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound, relative to an overall weight of the article.

14. The article of claim 1 , comprising from 1 part per million to about 1 weight percent of the [benzo[4,5]imidazo(heterocycle)] compound, relative to an overall weight of the article.

15. The article of claim 1 , comprising injection molded articles, extruded articles, or coating compositions.

16. The article of claim 15 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisitng of optical disks, security documents, security inks, currency bills, automotive parts, telecom and consumer electronic products, or packaging materials for liquor, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.