Bright ideas, hidden pathways: Florida State University researchers discover mechanism for inefficient photoreactions in molecules

An illustration showing a UV lamp shining on a molecule and causing a bond breakage.
An illustration showing a bond breakage like those examined by FSU researchers in this study. This is an example of a tetrachloroferrate molecule (FeCl4-) being excited with a UV lamp, releasing a chlorine atom. (Courtesy of Rachel Weiss)
A thumbnail of a smiling man
Bryan Kudisch, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Florida State University researchers have discovered a pathway within a certain type of molecule that limits chemical reactions by redirecting light energy. The study could help develop more efficient reactions for pharmaceuticals and other products.

The researchers examined ligand-to-metal photocatalysts. Ligands are a molecule bound to a larger molecule, in this case, to a metal. Photocatalysts are materials that use light to accelerate a chemical…

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