Oxime Ester (OXE) Photoinitiators were synthesized and characterized by HPLC, FTIR, UV-Vis spectra, and (1)H-NMR. The UV-Vis spectra of these photoinitiators were similar to Benzophenone (BP) but showed large red-shifted maximum absorption. OXE were not only soluble in many solvents and (meth) acrylate monomers but also could be dispersed easily in propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA). The kinetics of polymerization of monomer using OXE as photoinitiator was studied by Real-time infrared (RTIR) spectra. It showed that OXE were an efficient photoinitiator. The concentration of OXE, functionality of monomer, and light intensity had effect on the photopolymerization kinetics. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123:725-731, 2012