HPLC–HR-ESI–MS/MS identification of fluorescent dyes and optical brighteners and their degradation products in daylight fluorescent paints

Abstract Daylight fluorescent paints are luminous colors that increasingly used in contemporary art. The pigments consist of a synthetic resin which dyes and optical brighteners embedded. In the recent years, several research articles have been published on composition daylight pigments. Despite growing aging behavior paints, little is known to date about chemical processes involved aging. presented here, we dialysis separate colorants from resin. HPLC–HR-ESI–MS/MS was extend elucidation dye composition. A variety rhodamines coumarins, an aminonaphthalimide another brightener were determined. NMR elucidate structure additional hemicyanine not listed Colour Index. Furthermore, reference substances artificially aged under visible light UV radiation degradation products analyzed accordingly. N-deethylation, hydroxylation higher oxidation found be main pathways for all colorants. For most brighteners, there no difference between radiation. When results checked samples paint mock-ups, it only few can still detected case very advanced even with smallest sample quantities.