Transparent ultraviolet‐barrier coatings

A number of phenyl polyesters have been synthesized to furnish molecules whose backbones rearrange under ultraviolet irradiation to ano‐hydroxybenzophenone structure. This photochemical Fries rearrangement produces ultraviolet opacity in the irradiated film while maintaining visual transparency. Thin coatings of these polyesters completely protect substrates ordinarily sensitive to ultraviolet light. Spectroscopic analysis of various rearranged films and coatings clearly shows that theo‐hydroxybenzophenone polymer formed is concentrated at the irradiated surface of the original polyester coating as a “skin”. Such a skin, formedin situduring the irradiation, functions to protect both the original polyester coating as well as the coated substrate from degradation by ultraviolet irradiation. Furthermore, a significant “healing” mechanism appears inherent in these coatings, for as the exposed skin ultimately degrades under extended ultraviolet irradiation, more of the underlying polyester layer apparently rearranges to compensate for the loss. Thus the clear coating functions both as a protective skin and a rearrangeable reservoir. Modified structures of the polyesters have been prepared which possess, in addition to their protective film properties, a useful solubility spectrum and a good solution shelf life.