photolabileadj.
/ˌfəʊtəʊˈleɪbʌɪl/, U.S. /ˌfoʊdoʊˈleɪˌbaɪl/, /ˌfoʊdoʊˈleɪb(ə)l/ Of a substance: unstable in the presence of light. Opposed to photostable adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [adjective] > unstable in the presence of
photolabile1934
1934 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 20 302 There are photo-labile substances in the shoot that are decomposed by light during the very brief exposure period.
1975 Nature 31 Jan. 316/2 Some photolabile metabolite accumulates until a threshold concentration is reached.
1991 New Scientist 14 Dec. 33/1 The group is photolabile—that is, it can be removed quickly and easily by illuminating it with a laser or a xenon flash lamp.
Derivatives
photolaˈbility n. the property of being photolabile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [noun] > instability in the presence of
photolability1961
1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Photolability.
1965 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. 87 4959/1 The extraordinary photolability of 5 possibly results from facilitated carbon–sulfur bond fission.
2001 Chem. & Industry (Nexis) 16 July 454 The use of a porphyrin-like macrocycle to tune the photolability and redox properties of the ruthenium-nitrido group.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1934