Photolysis of 2-sec-butyl-4, 6-dinitro-3 -methyl-2 -butenoate (binapacryl) in methanol solution and as thin film on glass on exposure to UV light yields products resulting from ester hydrolysis, reduction of o-nitro group, formation of dimers like azo and azoxy, and modification of sec-butyl chain to yield small quantities of the isomeric-2-(hydroxy-sec-butyl) and 2-(2-β butenyl)- 4, 6-dinitrophenol. When thin films are exposed to sunlight, binapacryl has a half life of 7,5,3 days on glass, soil and leaf surfaces, respectively.
