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Making stable molecules reactive with light

Researchers at Linköping University used computer simulations to show that stable aromatic molecules can become reactive after absorbing light. This could enable new ways to control photochemical reactions using the aromaticity of molecules.

SourceLinköping University·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2022

Electrons in alcohol – concerted molecule and charge motions at terahertz frequencies

Researchers observed a novel type of excitation, called a polaron, where collective oscillations of the electron and its screening cloud arise at terahertz frequencies. These oscillations persist for tens of picoseconds and are impulsively triggered by ultrafast electron localization.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022
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PFAS chemicals do not last forever

Researchers at UC Riverside discover that adding iodide to a water treatment reactor using ultraviolet (UV) light and sulfite can destroy up to 90% of PFAS chemicals in just a few hours. This method accelerates the reaction four times, saving energy and chemicals, and enables the treatment of ten times higher concentrations of PFAS.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2022

An ultrafast X-ray glance into photoacid electronic structure

Researchers have provided direct insight into the electronic structure of a proton donating group in an amine aromatic photoacid using ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. The study reveals major electronic structure changes occur on the base side of the Förster cycle, resolving the long-standing open question.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Novel Light-Based Method Shows the Changing Face of Bioactive Molecules

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel light-based method for rapidly racemizing chiral sulfoxides, a crucial step in producing desired enantiomers. This breakthrough utilizes photocatalysts to achieve rapid racemization under moderate conditions, bypassing the need for high temperatures previously required.

SourceTokyo University of Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021
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Productive cascade

A German team led by Thorsten Bach successfully synthesized agarozizanol B, a complex sesquiterpene with potential pharmaceutical applications. The researchers developed a photochemical reaction cascade to form the molecule from an indanone derivative, achieving both enantiomers of the natural product.

SourceWiley·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

Making N-C bond directly from N2: summary and perspective

Researchers discuss direct conversion of N2 into organic compounds via N-C bond formation, with potential applications in sustainable systems. The review highlights the challenges and limitations of current methods, but also outlines promising future research directions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 7, 2020

A hidden electronic transition 'S0 → Tn' in heavy-atom-containing molecules

Scientists at Chiba University have discovered a previously overlooked electronic transition 'S0 → Tn' in heavy-atom-containing molecules exposed to visible light. The study reveals that this mechanism promotes radical reactions in photoreactions with visible light, which was not previously considered a main role.

SourceChiba University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 11, 2020

Chemists give chance a helping hand

A team of chemists at the University of Münster has developed a strategy for generating random hits in a systematic way, discovering new reactions and gaining deeper understanding of molecular processes. The study identified three previously unknown reactions, including a photochemical cycloaddition.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalChem·DateJul 1, 2019
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'Molecular movie' captures chemical reaction on atomic scale

A team of physicists has captured the behavior of a five-atom molecule's atomic nuclei and chemical bonds in response to a laser, revealing the clearest glimpse yet of a photochemical reaction. The study marks a significant advancement in understanding these light-fueled molecular transformations.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2018

ASU team discovers a new take on early evolution of photosynthesis

A team of scientists from Arizona State University has re-thought the evolutionary history of photochemical reaction centers (RCs). They propose a new pathway that ancient organisms may have taken to evolve the great variety of photosynthetic RCs seen today.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPhotosynthesis Research·DateApr 23, 2018

A microscopic approach to the magnetic sensitivity of animals

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new microscope that can observe magnetic sensitivity in photochemical reactions within sub-cellular structures. The microscope, called TOAD imaging, allows for the detection of radical pairs formed from flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and their response to weak magnetic fields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 4, 2015

Dynamic spectroscopy duo

Researchers developed a new technique to study photochemical reactions, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of electronic and molecular dynamics. This breakthrough could answer questions about photochemical and photobiological systems, enabling the development of more efficient solar energy systems and nanomaterials.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2014

Targeted synthesis of natural products with light

Scientists at Technical University of Munich have discovered a way to create natural substances using photoreactions and a special catalyst, reducing the formation of unwanted mirror-image variants. This method has potential for industrial applications in drug development and plant protection.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2013
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Hawaiian scientists take their test tubes surfing

Researchers at the University of Hawaii created a photochemical reactor built into a surfboard to perform green reactions with sunlight and sea water. The system efficiently dissipates excess thermal energy using ocean currents, enabling scalable production of vitamin A variants.

SourceRoyal Society of Chemistry·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateSep 22, 2008

Atmospheric chemist recognized by American Geophysical Union

Roger Atkinson, a leading atmospheric chemist, has been elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union. His pioneering research on atmospheric reactions and photochemical smog has received recognition from various quarters. He has contributed to the development of analytical and experimental methods for researchers.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJan 26, 2005