Term: photodegradation
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04595

Definition:
The photochemical transformation of a molecule into lower molecular weight fragments, usually in an oxidation process. This term is widely used in the destruction (oxidation) of pollutants by UV-based processes.

Related Terms:
1) transformation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06446).
2) molecular weight (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04000).
3) oxidation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04362).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2260 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)

Citation: 'photodegradation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04595

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