Photochemical reactions in commercial poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate)

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Abstract
The photodegradation of poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) is examined by absorption and emission spectroscopy and by flash photolysis techniques. A comparison of the emission spectra with that of a model compound 2,6‐dimethynaphthalate (DMN) shows that the chromophoric species responsible for light absorption in the near ultraviolet is the unit structure of the polymer itself. A flash photolysis study of DMN indicates that the major primary process in photodeterioration of the polymer involves scission by decarboxylation at the naphthyl‐carbon bond.