Novel one-component positive-tone chemically amplified i-line molecular glass photoresists

Maleopimaric acid, cycloaddition reaction product of rosin with maleic anhydride, was reacted with hydroxylamine to afford N-hydroxy maleopimarimide, which was then further esterified with 2-diazo-1-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonyl chloride (2,1,4-DNQ-Cl) to give N-hydroxy maleopimarimide sulfonate. The carboxylic acid group of the compound was then protected by the reaction of this compound with vinyl ether compounds to give the corresponding molecular glass compounds. Upon irradiation to 365 nm light, the 2,1,4-DNQ group undergo photolysis not only to be converted into indene carboxylic acid but also generate a few amount of sulfonic acid which can catalyze the deprotection of the acid labile group. So, novel one-component positive-tone chemically amplified i-line photoresists can be formed by the molecular glass compounds. The lithographic performance of the resists was evaluated using i-line exposure system with high photosensitivity and resolution.