THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF POLYMERS CONTAINING ANTHRYLMETHYL VINYL KETONE

The photolysis of copolymers of anthrylmethyl vinyl ketone (AMVK) with styrene and methyl methacrylate has been studied, both in solution an d in the solid phase. Quantum yields of the order of 0.01 were observe d in both cases for release of the major product, methyl anthracene (M A). Photolysis of an aqueous emulsion of a styrene-AMVK copolymer show ed similar yields of MA. The results indicate the possibility of using the Norrish type I process as a means of releasing drugs or other bio logically active compounds from polymeric matrices. (C) 1995 John Wile y and Sons, Inc.