Relationship between photofading and chemical structure of disperse azo dyes on nylon fabric^†

The initial rates of photofading for 30 disperse azo dyes on nylon fabric upon exposure to a carbon arc in air have been analysed by formulating a kinetic equation that describes azo scission via the disproportionation reactions and intramolecular H‐transfer by two kinds of hydrazinyl radicals and the conversion of a nitro group to a nitroso group via the disproportionation reaction of nitrosyl hydroxide radicals. The five reaction rate constants are discussed in terms of the heats of reaction by calculating the heats of formation for the reactants, intermediates and products of each reaction using the PM5 method. Phenylazo‐ and thiazoleazo‐N,N‐substituted anilines and phenylazo‐pyridones exhibited large rate constants of multiple terms, while phenylazo‐phenols had the highest light fastness and very small rate constants for the disproportionation reactions of hydrazinyl radicals. Photofading on nylon fabric was primarily controlled by the thermal reactions of photo‐induced monohydrogenated dye radicals, which occurred via one or two primary multiple routes.