Photolysis of poly(4,4-dimethyl-1-penten-3-one)

Abstract

Photodegradation of poly(4,4-dimethyl-1-penten-3-one) (PBVK) by 313 nm irradiation was studied in benzene and in dioxane at 30°C. The photolysis of PBVK was found to proceed through both the Type I and Type II mechanisms via the triplet state. The quantum yield of main-chain scission (φ_cs) of PBVK was determined to be 1·3 × 10⁻² in benzene and 1·8 × 10⁻² in dioxane. φ_cs for the Type II reaction was estimated to be about 7 × 10⁻³.