Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Photochemistry: The study of chemical processes induced by the absorption of light (visible or ultraviolet) photons.

hν

Light-induced radical bromination of methane is a photochemical reaction.

hν

Cis/trans isomerization of azobenzene is a photochemical reaction.

hν

This intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition reaction is a photochemical reaction.

CO2

+

H2O

+

hν

Photosynthesis is an essential photochemical process in plants and certain other organisms, and for the entire food chain. With chlorophyll to harvest solar photons, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose.