Abstract: A cardanol derivative(1) with photo-initiating activity has been synthesized in 86% yield using cardanol and 4-bromomethyl benzophenone as precursors. The photo-initiating performance of the derivative 1 is better than common benzophenone according to the results of the controlled experiments. The derivative 1 can be completely cured within 30 s under UV irradiation without the presence of any photoinitiator. Furthermore, the mixtures of the derivative 1 and cardanol with various ratios can also be cured under UV irradiation that the UV-curing time is prolonged up to dozens of minutes with the increase of cardanol content. The resulting cured films show relatively high hardness(3H-5H), excellent solvent, acid and base resistance, which have potential application in anti-corrosion coatings.

Key words: cardanol,bromomethyl benzophenone, UV-curing, photo-initiating, anti-corrosion coatings