PHOTOCHEMISTRY ON SURFACES - PHOTOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF 1,3-DIPHENYLISOBENZOFURAN OVER ALUMINA

The photodegradation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) over an alumina surface at various coverages was investigated by diffuse reflectance measurements. DPBF over an alumina surface exhibits strong absorption (lambda(max) = 425 nm) and emission (lambda(max) = 480 nm) in the visible region. At submonolayer coverages, the air-equilibrated DPBF/Al2O3 samples undergo rapid photodegradation as DPBF reacts with singlet oxygen. The dependence of the half-life of the decay on the surface coverage highlights the role of the support material in the promotion of the photodegradation of furan.