[en] By substituting Al with Zn to form bis-(8-hydroxyquinoline) zinc (Znq_2), the device performance of organic light emitting diodes (OLED) can be improved. Znq_2 also has a more closed packed crystal structure that makes it less vulnerable to reactions with atmospheric oxygen and moisture leading to more stable and longer lasting devices. In this work the effect of photon degradation of Znq_2 in air was investigated. Znq_2 powder was synthesized using a co-precipitation method and recrystallized in acetone. The structure of the sample was confirmed to be Znq_2·2H_2O by X-ray diffraction. The photoluminescence (PL) emission data also confirmed that the Znq_2·2H_2O crystal form of Znq_2 was present. To study the photon degradation, the sample was irradiated with a UV lamp for 400 h. The emission data was collected and the change in PL intensity with time was monitored. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed on the as prepared and photon-degraded samples. The Zn2p and N1s peaks showed no change after degradation. The O1s and C1s peaks confirmed that the phenoxide ring ruptured and that C=O and C–O species had formed.