Method for producing methacrylated benzophenones

1. Process for preparing benzophenone (meth)acrylates, comprising reacting hydroxybenzophenones and (meth)acrylic anhydride in the presence of catalytic amounts of acid, neutralizing said catalyst, and subsequently purifying a crude monomer

wherein said acid is at least one acid selected from the group consisting of concentrated sulphuric acid, of an alkylsulphonic acid and an arylsulphonic acid.

2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein 4-hydroxybenzophenone and (meth)acrylic anhydride are reacted in the presence of catalytic amounts of acid, which are then neutralized with aqueous bases, and subsequently the soluble impurities in a [(meth)acryloyloxy]benzophenone melt are dissolved by addition of water.

3. Process according to claim 1 , wherein neutralization is carried out with at least one base selected from the group consisting of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution or ammonia solution.

4. Process according to claim 1 , wherein said reaction takes place over 4-8 hours at 50 to 120° C.

5. Process according to claim 1 , further comprising precipitating a [(meth)acryloyloxy]benzophenone by addition of excess water to the reaction mixture and isolating in solid form by filtration.

6. Process according to claim 1 , further comprising adding a liquid (meth)acrylic ester or styrene into the reaction mixture to form a solution.