Abstract: | The photolytic degradation of 2,4-TDI/aliphatic diol polyurethanes is directly dependent on the flexibility of the polymer backbone. The extent of photodegradation is accelerated above the glass transition temperature, indicating the role of chain flexibility and/or oxygen diffusion in the decomposition process. Photolysis of the model compound ethyl N-phenylcarbamate (EPC) in neutral host polymer matrices indicates that the para photo-Fries to ortho photo-Fries product ratio experiences an accelerated increase with temperature above the glass transition of the polymer matrix. |