AbstractThe fluorescence and phosphorescence excitation and emission spectra of commercial poly(4‐methylpent‐1‐ene) are examined using a fully compensated spectrofluorometer. The excitation spectra of the polymer are compared with the absorption spectra of model chromophores of those believed to be present in the polymer. The fluorescence emission is primarily associated with the presence of enone and the phosphorescence with dienone impurity chromophoric units. Bromination of cold hexane extracts of the polymer significantly reduces the intensity of the fluorescence, confirming the presence of ethylenic unsaturation. The behavior of the luminescent enone and dienone groups during irradiation under sunlight‐simulated conditions is also examined. Possible mechanisms for the participation of these chromophoric units in the photo‐oxidation of poly(4‐methylpent‐1‐ene
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