Precision Photochemistry: Every Photon Counts
Abstract
Abstract Photochemistry is undergoing a precision transformation. Through technological advancements, such as the advent of light emitting diodes and monochromatic lasers, chemists are now able to use photons not only as an energy source but also as a tool for directing photochemical processes with both wavelength and spatiotemporal precision. Enabled by these technologies, the discovery that photochemical action often does not align with molar extinction has catalysed the growth of the research field that we coin Precision Photochemistry . We explain how precision photochemistry stands on four fundamental pillars: molar extinction, wavelength‐dependent quantum yield, concentration of the chromophores, and the length of the irradiation. Each of these four pillars are intrinsically linked and dictate the experimental conditions that should be used (e.g., wavelength, light intensity, and solvent system), as we demonstrate through simulations of a photochemical uncaging system. Building on these pillars, we propose a concrete definition for Precision Photochemistry and highlight important fields within chemistry that will benefit from careful consideration of them. Finally, we address key experimental considerations that must be taken into account when conducting precision photochemistry including the light source, the reaction setup, and the method for determining (wavelength‐dependent) quantum yields. These factors are critical in furthering the development of the field of Precision Photochemistry .
Article Details
Authors (12)
Fred Pashley‐Johnson
Soft Matter Materials Laboratory School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane Queensland Australia
Xingyu Wu
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People’s Hospital
Joshua A. Carroll
School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Sarah L. Walden
School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Hendrik Frisch
Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
Andreas‐Neil Unterreiner
Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Karlsruhe Germany
Filip E. Du Prez
Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences
Hans‐Achim Wagenknecht
Institute of Organic Chemistry Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT) Fritz‐Haber‐Weg 6 76131 Karlsruhe Germany
Javier Read de Alaniz
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ben L. Feringa
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
Alexander Heckel
Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe-University Frankfurt
Christopher Barner‐Kowollik
Soft Matter Materials Laboratory School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane Queensland Australia