a little light chemistry

The chemistry of life fundamentally depends on light - without photosynthesis there wouldn't be much worth reporting. In contrast, chemistry as a discipline from fundamental research through to industrial applications doesn't use light all that often. The most common way of making things react is to heat them, add a catalyst, or even put pressure on. The science of light-induced reactions, aka photochemistry has remained a poor relation.

I am picking up signals that this may be about to change for a variety of reasons. We now have a much better understanding of how photochemistry works in natural systems so we could borrow an idea or two there. Also, in the quest to make chemistry more sustainable and "green", using light instead of high temperatures and pressures may often be a better solution.

I wrote a feature about various recent developments in photochemistry which is out now:

Let there be light

Chemistry & Industry 83, No. 10, pp 30-33.

access via:

Wiley Online Library (paywalled)

SCI (members)

Any access problems give me a shout and I can send a PDF.




Source: Wikipedia: By Masohe - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,


In the same issue, page 38, you can find my review of the book

Modern thermodynamics for chemists and biochemists


Oh, and it appears that I forgot to blog about my previous feature in C&I, which appeared in issue 8 and was about developing new kinds of magnets depending less on rare earth elements.

Mining for ideas

Chemistry & Industry 83, No. 8, pp 26-29.

access via:

Wiley Online Library (paywalled)

SCI (members)