Photochemistry

Photochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical effects of light. Generally, this term is used to describe a chemical reaction caused by absorption of ultraviolet (wavelength from 100 to 400 nm), visible (400–750 nm), or infrared radiation (750–2500 nm).[1]

In nature, photochemistry is of immense importance as it is the basis of photosynthesis, vision, and the formation of vitamin D with sunlight.[2] It is also responsible for the appearance of DNA mutations leading to skin cancers.[3]

Photochemical reactions proceed differently than temperature-driven reactions. Photochemical paths access high-energy intermediates that cannot be generated thermally, thereby overcoming large activation barriers in a short period of time, and allowing reactions otherwise inaccessible by thermal processes. Photochemistry can also be destructive, as illustrated by the photodegradation of plastics.

  1. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. (the "Gold Book") (2025). Online version: (2006–) "photochemistry". doi:10.1351/goldbook.P04588
  2. ^ Glusac, Ksenija (2016). "What has light ever done for chemistry?". Nature Chemistry. 8 (8): 734–735. Bibcode:2016NatCh...8..734G. doi:10.1038/nchem.2582. PMID 27442273.
  3. ^ J. Cadet and T. Douki Photochem. & Photobiol. Sci. 2018 (17) pp 1816-1841 DOI: 10.1039/c7pp00395a
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