Influence of photo-Fries reaction products on the photodegradation of bisphenol-A polycarbonate

The photodegradation of BPA polycarbonate (PC) can be described as an autoaccelerating process initiated by the formation of biphenol products arising from a formal photo-Fries reaction pathway. Evidence comes from spiking PC films with model compounds of photo-Fries reaction products, pre-exposure of films to generate photo-Fries products, and kinetic analysis. Published data on products formed during natural PC weathering are consistent with this pathway.