Abstract:
This invention relates to polymeric ultraviolet light stabilizers which are the esterification products of (A) phenolformaldehyde condensates, which have at least 12.5 mol % of the positions ortho to the esterifiable hydroxyl group unsubstituted, and (B) a compound capable of esterification with the phenol formaldehyde condensate which contains at least one ring of six carbon atoms characterized by having benzenoid unsaturation. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, the exposed portion of the ester rearranges to form a polymeric compound which is a barrier to ultraviolet light.