PHOTOREACTIVITY OF N-ISO-PROPYLCINNAMAMIDE, A MODEL FOR CINNAMOYLATEDPOLYVINYLAMINE

The influence of solvent composition (water-THF 30:70 or 80:20 v/v) an d irradiation wavelength (254/312 nm) on the photoisomerisation of pur e (E)-N-iso-propylcinnamamide (MPC) in solution was examined. The diff erences in photoreactivity were interpreted, not only on the basis of differences in the absorption characteristics of the E and Z isomers, but also in terms of isomerisation quantum yield The data obtained fro m MPC as a model compound were used to determine the progress of compe ting isomerisation and dimerisation processes in cinnamoylated polyvin ylamine irradiated in water-THF solution, or as a thin solid film. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.