PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF BISPHENOL-A-BASED POLYCARBONATE - EARLY DETECTION OF PHOTOPRODUCTS BY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY

The utility of fluorescence spectroscopy in detection of salicylic aci d and 2,2'-biphenol type products in the very early stages of photolys is of polycarbonate and its model compounds has been demonstrated. The broad structureless peak around 410 nm produced by photolysis of poly carbonate and model compounds in THF is assigned to emission from a sa licylic acid type photoproduct. Formation of salicylic acid groups has been shown to be dependent on the presence of oxygen. The emission wi th peak maxims around 350-360 nm produced by photolysis of polycarbona te and model compounds in THF (or dichloromethane) is consistent with fluorescence from a 2,2'-biphenol type photoproduct. Salicylic acid an d 2,2'-biphenolic products are quite photolabile; hence the need for t heir early detection during photolysis of polycarbonate.